Kazakhstan has uncovered significant rare earth metal deposits during exploration work at the Kuyrektikol site, according to an official statement. The Central Geological Survey Company (Centrgeolsyomka) identified several promising areas with total resources estimated at one million tons, positioning the country as a potential global leader in rare earth elements (REEs).
Located 300 km southeast of Astana in the Karkaraly district, the Kuyrektikol site features ancient volcanic formations rich in REEs, with the Irgyz and Dos 2 areas showing particularly high concentrations exceeding 0.1%, and in some samples reaching 0.25%. Preliminary estimates suggest 800,000 tons of metals in the Irgyz block alone, with drilling indicating continuous ore bodies.
Additionally, a newly identified prospective zone, named “Zhana Kazakhstan” (New Kazakhstan), extends the mineralized area and is estimated to hold over 20 million tons of REEs at an average grade of 700 grams per ton. Authorities claim this deposit represents a new industrial type of rare earth mineralization, unprecedented in Kazakhstan.
The discovery could propel Kazakhstan to the forefront of the global rare earth market, boosting its high-tech industry. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions over REEs continue, as US President Donald Trump recently linked military aid to Ukraine to access to its rare earth resources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially rejected such a deal, citing lack of guarantees, but negotiations continue with a revised US proposal.
