MINEX Forum

Tag: azakhstan

  • Kazakhstan Targets Economic Growth with Rare-Earth Expansion and SEZ Reforms

    Kazakhstan Targets Economic Growth with Rare-Earth Expansion and SEZ Reforms

    Kazakhstan is launching a comprehensive strategy to boost economic growth by strengthening special economic zones (SEZs) and expanding rare-earth metal production, as announced by Industry and Construction Minister Yersayin Nagaspayev during a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov

    To improve SEZ efficiency, the government will conduct a comprehensive review of their performance and strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure investors fulfill their obligations. The country also plans to introduce a framework for foreign companies to manage certain SEZs, while local authorities will intensify efforts to attract new investors.

    In addition to SEZs, the government has identified rare-earth metal production as a key area for development. Kazakhstan plans to implement at least three major projects in this field, focusing on the production of battery materials, recycling and manufacturing heat-resistant alloys for jet engines, developing semiconductor components, and reprocessing permanent magnets.

    The country has already established strategic partnerships with leading players from the European Union, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and China. Upcoming projects include the launch of gallium production with an annual capacity of 15 tons, the manufacturing of high-purity manganese sulfate, and the production of graphite for battery components.

    Kazakhstan is also taking significant steps to modernize its geological exploration and mapping. A next-generation geological map will be developed using advanced digital tools, with project preparations already underway and fieldwork scheduled to begin in 2026. The government has allocated funding for new surveying methods, including aerogeophysics, geochemistry, spectral imaging, and high-resolution satellite data analysis.

    Furthermore, the country is introducing a unified digital platform to consolidate all processes related to construction and housing management. The platform will be introduced by the end of 2025 and is expected to enhance efficiency and transparency in the sector.

    The reforms are part of Kazakhstan’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil exports. The country aims to become a major player in the global rare-earth market and to attract foreign investment in its SEZs.

  • Kazakhstan to Auction 50 Mineral Deposits Including Gold, Copper, and Rare Earth Metals

    Kazakhstan to Auction 50 Mineral Deposits Including Gold, Copper, and Rare Earth Metals

    Kazakhstan is set to hold a large-scale electronic auction in June 2025, offering 50 solid mineral deposits, including gold, copper, coal, polymetals, and rare earth elements, according to Almas Kushumov, Director of the Subsoil Use Department at the Ministry of Industry and Construction. He made the announcement during the MINEX Kazakhstan forum.

    The rights will be granted for both exploration and extraction, with deposits containing balance reserves to be auctioned directly for mining. The full list of deposits is expected to be published in the coming days.

    Kushumov noted that 117 deposits were auctioned via e-auctions in 2023–2024, bringing in over 20 billion tenge in signing bonuses for the state. In 2024, 43 new deposits were officially registered, including 22 solid mineral sites. Resource growth figures include:

    • 20 tons of gold

    • 9,000 tons of silver

    • 48,000 tons of copper

    Kazakhstan’s current reserve lifespan is estimated at 33 years for gold and 44 years for copper, based on current production levels.

    Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev previously stated that companies from the United States, the European Union, and China would be able to participate in the auctions for rare and rare earth metal rights. He emphasized that competition among major players in the global critical materials market—used in dual-use goods, renewable energy tech, electric vehicles, and more—could help maximize Kazakhstan’s revenues.

    Quote:

    “This will be a high-interest auction. The competition between Western countries and China in the rare earth sector gives us the opportunity to attract the best offers,” Sharlapayev said.