A state visit from Belgium to Kazakhstan, commencing on 12 October, is set to highlight the importance of critical raw materials in fostering international partnerships. High-level discussions will involve policymakers, institutions, researchers, and businesses, focusing on the strategic role of Kazakhstan in the global supply chain for critical minerals. Kazakhstan boasts over 124 identified rare-earth deposits, with significant reserves of 11 out of the 12 defence-critical raw materials listed by NATO and 21 of the 34 materials outlined in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. This positions Kazakhstan as a pivotal player in a landscape marked by high demand and supply risks.
Belgium, on the other hand, is equipped with advanced expertise in processing and recycling these crucial materials but lacks domestic production capabilities. For Belgian policymakers, the focus is on diversifying and securing access to the minerals essential for their industries. The partnership aims to create a stable upstream supply chain for Belgium while providing Kazakhstan with opportunities to develop midstream capacities by leveraging Belgian processing knowledge, rather than merely exporting raw materials.
The significance of this partnership is underscored by the recent inclusion of the Sarytogan Graphite Project in Kazakhstan as one of the 13 strategic projects identified by the European Commission under the Critical Raw Materials Act. This project, developed by Sarytogan Graphite Limited, is seen as a vital component of the EU-Kazakhstan industrial partnership, particularly as graphite is crucial for battery production, thereby enhancing European supply security.
The visit is expected to pave the way for tangible outcomes, including offtake agreements, joint processing initiatives, and investments that could further solidify the relationship between the two nations. The broader context of these developments will be explored at the upcoming MINEX Eurasia conference in London on 30 November 2026, which will bring together mining and critical minerals professionals, investors, and policymakers to discuss supply chains and partnerships across Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the wider Eurasian region.
As the mining sector continues to evolve, the outcomes of this state visit will be closely monitored by MINEX Forum, highlighting the ongoing dialogue and collaboration in the critical minerals space.
