Kazakhstan’s state-owned mining company Tau-Ken Samruk has launched geological exploration efforts for rare and rare-earth metals in Rwanda and Afghanistan, according to Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Board of Samruk-Kazyna. The initiatives are viewed as strategically important for strengthening Kazakhstan’s resource security and expanding its processing capabilities.
In Rwanda, the national company has already signed a cooperation agreement that will pave the way for establishing a joint venture with the country’s state enterprise. Once the joint company is formed, exploration activities will begin, eventually leading to the extraction of strategic minerals.
Work in Afghanistan remains at an early evaluation stage. Specialists collected and analyzed geological samples in July and reported promising results. However, joint mining is not yet under consideration, as licensing and resource assessment procedures still need to be resolved.
Zhakupov noted that these international exploration projects will help Kazakhstan develop deeper processing of raw materials sourced from third countries. The government has declared its intention to process rare and rare-earth metals domestically, and the Ministry of Industry and Construction has prepared a development program for the sector covering 2024–2028.
Tau-Ken Samruk continues to focus on gold, copper, and lead-zinc deposits while also identifying strong potential in the extraction of strategic resources, including rare and rare-earth elements.
