In a significant development for international collaboration in the mining sector, Belgium and Kazakhstan are set to enhance their partnership in the critical minerals space. This initiative was highlighted during a Royal Round Table held in Astana, where Dr Peter Tom Jones moderated discussions alongside Their Majesties the King and Queen of Belgium and Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Oljas Baktenov. The meeting aimed to establish tangible collaborations between the two nations, focusing on the critical minerals essential for the climate, digital, and AI transitions.
The discussions underscored the precarious position of Europe in the global supply chain for critical minerals, particularly given China’s dominance in the mine-to-cleantech sector. In response, the European Union has enacted the Critical Raw Materials Act and is seeking strategic partnerships with resource-rich countries, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan identified as key players due to their abundant mineral resources. However, both countries are keen to move beyond being mere mining nations; they aspire to capture more value throughout the supply chain, from extraction to final product.
Belgium’s proactive approach aims to ensure it does not miss out on this opportunity. The country is leveraging its expertise in metallurgy and sustainable practices to foster collaboration with Kazakhstan. Belgian companies and research centres are renowned for their cutting-edge metallurgy, which focuses on near-zero-waste processes, recovering not only primary metals but also accessory metals while valorising mineral residues. This expertise is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, which faces significant challenges with its legacy of tailings and industrial residues, estimated at 61 billion tonnes.
The integrated company-research-centre model prevalent in Belgium, where industry and academia work closely together, is seen as a potential framework for Kazakhstan. This collaborative approach aims to bridge the gap between companies and universities, which often operate in silos, thereby fostering innovation and addressing real industrial challenges.
As emphasised by His Majesty the King during the Round Table, trust is a crucial element in building these partnerships. The establishment of Joint Research Centres in Kazakhstan is envisioned as a means to promote win-win collaborations, supported by public authorities. The discussions mark a watershed moment for Belgium-Kazakhstan relations in the critical minerals sector, setting the stage for future cooperation and development in this vital industry.
