MINEX Forum

Tag: KAZAKH INVEST

  • Kazakhstan and China Plan $500m Chromium Processing Plant in Aktobe Region

    Kazakhstan and China Plan $500m Chromium Processing Plant in Aktobe Region

    Kazakh Invest and China’s Sichuan YinHe Chemical have agreed to establish a high-tech facility for the deep processing of chromium-bearing raw materials in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region. The decision followed a series of negotiations and a site visit to the Chinese partner’s operations, Kazakh Invest said in a statement.

    The planned industrial complex will focus on the production of fertilizers, chemical products, metallurgical components and dietary supplements. According to preliminary estimates, the plant will have an annual output capacity of up to 200,000 tonnes, with projected yearly production valued at around $1 billion.

    Total investment in the project is estimated at approximately $500 million. The facility is expected to create more than 600 jobs and generate stable demand for locally available chromium raw materials, strengthening the region’s industrial base.

    Kazakh Invest said its analysis of the Aktobe region identified chromium and chemical-metallurgical industries as priority areas, citing significant ore reserves, export potential and favorable conditions for building a full value chain. The project is intended to increase the depth of raw material processing, shifting away from exports of semi-processed materials toward higher value-added products.

    The initiative follows earlier announcements involving another Chinese investor, Suzhou Hunan New Materials, which has proposed a $150 million project to process chromium concentrate in the Aktobe region, with plans to later add metallic chromium production.

  • Chinese Company Interested in Development of Lithium Industry in Kazakhstan

    Chinese Company Interested in Development of Lithium Industry in Kazakhstan

    Director of the Project Department of JSC “NC “KAZAKH INVEST” Bauyrzhan Aitkulov held a meeting with representatives of Zhicun Lithium Group, one of the largest Chinese companies specializing in the full-cycle production of lithium batteries. This company occupies 15% of the Chinese market for the production of lithium carbonate. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation and investment opportunities in Kazakhstan’s lithium exploration, production, and processing projects.

    B. Aitkulov informed investors about the strategic importance of developing this area, given the significant geological potential of the country for lithium, noting that the experience and knowledge of Zhicun Lithium Group can contribute to exploration work with the further prospect of building a processing plant for the production of lithium salts and powders. In turn, the company’s Vice President, Hong Wei, expressed interest in implementing promising projects, noting the great potential of the lithium industry in Kazakhstan.

    This meeting demonstrated the two sides’ desire to deepen cooperation and create sustainable lithium production chains necessary for the development of processing industries, including green energy. Lithium, its compounds, and alloys are required for the automotive sector, aircraft, metallurgy, microelectronics, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, etc. They are especially important in the production of high-capacity batteries.

    Following the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness for long-term cooperation and technology transfer in this vital industry sector.