MINEX Forum

Tag: Lithium Exploration

  • Kazakhstan to study lithium potential near Caspian and Aral seas from 2027

    Kazakhstan to study lithium potential near Caspian and Aral seas from 2027

    Kazakhstan plans to launch large-scale geological studies between 2027 and 2029 to assess the potential for industrial lithium extraction in several regions of the country, the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan said in response to an inquiry from LS.

    The programme will focus on mineralized brines, saline lake waters and salt flats located near the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, as well as subsurface resources in the Bayankol ore district. The aim is to determine whether these areas are suitable for commercial lithium production. The work will be carried out under the state geological exploration programme, with 600 million tenge allocated from the national budget.

    In parallel, geological assessment continues in Central Kalba. By 2027, specialists are expected to complete studies of areas prospective for lithium, as well as rare and rare earth metals within the Kalba–Narym zone.

    According to the ministry, there is a high probability of discovering new rare metal deposits in several regions, including northern Kazakhstan’s Kokshetau rare-metal province, western Kazakhstan’s Mugodzhar province with lithium-fluorine type granites, and the southeastern part of the Chingiz–Tarbagatai rare earth metallogenic zone in eastern Kazakhstan.

    The ministry also noted that lithium occurrences have already been confirmed in salt flats in the Aral Sea region and in Betpak-Dala, indicating tangible exploration potential in southern parts of the country.

  • Kazakhstan to explore new areas for lithium extraction with state-funded geological studies

    Kazakhstan to explore new areas for lithium extraction with state-funded geological studies

    Kazakhstan plans to expand its search for lithium resources by launching new geological studies across several regions of the country, the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan told LS Media.

    According to the ministry, state-funded exploration works are scheduled for 2027–2029 and will focus on mineralized brines, saline lake waters and salt flats in the Caspian and Aral Sea regions, as well as hard-rock formations in the Bayankol ore district. The objective is to determine whether these areas are suitable for commercial lithium extraction. The studies will be carried out as part of the national geological exploration program, with funding of 600 million tenge allocated from the state budget.

    In parallel, authorities expect to complete an assessment of Central Kalba in 2026. The work there is aimed at identifying areas prospective for lithium-bearing mineralization, as well as complex rare-metal and rare-earth mineralization within the Kalba–Narym zone.

    The ministry also highlighted significant potential for discovering new rare-earth deposits hosted in rare-metal granites and pegmatites. Promising targets include northern Kazakhstan near the Kokshetau rare-metal province, western Kazakhstan within the Mugodzhar rare-metal province, and eastern Kazakhstan at the southeastern end of the Chingiz–Tarbagatai rare-earth metallogenic zone.

    In addition, lithium occurrences have already been identified in salt flats across the Aral Sea region, Betpak-Dala and other parts of southern Kazakhstan, reinforcing expectations that the country could expand its role in the supply of critical battery minerals.

  • Kaz Resources and Cove Kaz Capital Launch 2025 Work Programs to Advance Critical Minerals in Kazakhstan

    Kaz Resources and Cove Kaz Capital Launch 2025 Work Programs to Advance Critical Minerals in Kazakhstan

    NEW YORK, June 19, 2025 – Kaz Resources and Cove Kaz Capital LLC, portfolio companies of Cove Capital LLC, have officially kicked off their 2025 work programs, focusing on key lithium, polymetallic, and rare earth assets across Kazakhstan. The launch signals accelerated on-the-ground activity aligned with the nation’s strategic push to become a global supplier of critical minerals.

    Kaz Resources LLC will expand its exploration efforts in East Kazakhstan, building on 2024 drilling success. The program includes step-out and infill drilling, surface geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys aimed at resource development across lithium and polymetallic targets. In parallel, the company is conducting metallurgical testing and a pilot program to evaluate lithium, tantalum-niobium, and other mineral recovery from historical tailings.

    Additionally, Cove Kaz Capital LLC, through its joint venture Akbulak REE Ltd. with Kazakhstan’s Qazgeology JSC, is advancing the Akbulak Rare Earth Project in Kostanay. The venture is currently finalizing license transfer approval and launching initial exploration activities, including structural analysis, sampling, and metallurgical tests.

    The Akbulak project hosts a historical resource of 380,000 tons of rare earth oxides, including neodymium, praseodymium, and yttrium—crucial materials for electric vehicles, electronics, and high-tech applications.

    Kaz Resources CEO Pini Althaus stated that the 2025 initiatives underscore the company’s commitment to fast-tracking development and contributing to a fully integrated supply chain, supporting both Kazakhstani goals and global mineral demands. Qazgeology JSC’s Acting CEO, Dauren Abuov, praised the partnership for demonstrating effective international cooperation in Kazakhstan’s mining sector.

  • Kyrgyz Prime Minister Discusses Lithium Exploration with Chinese Company

    Kyrgyz Prime Minister Discusses Lithium Exploration with Chinese Company

    Kyrgyzstan media said the Prime Minister, Akylbek Japarov, had discussed with China’s Zhicun Lithium to explore potential lithium exploration, mining, and lithium carbonate processing projects within Kyrgyzstan. These discussions took place during Japarov’s official visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, coinciding with the 8th China-Eurasia Expo held from June 26 to 30, 2024.

    Zhicun Lithium has laid out four subsidiaries in Xinjiang, aiming to build lithium carbonate production lines in Ruoqiang, Hotan, and Altay, which could achieve over 300,000 tonnes of carbonate-producing capacity if the development follow the investment blueprints. In July 2023, Zhicun started the operation of a 120,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate producing project in Ruoqiang, with Phase I targeting at 60,000 tonnes per year.

    This April, Zhicun was also in talks with Kazakh Invest for lithium projects in Kazakhstan. Kazakh Invest’s Project Director and the company’s Vice President have met and discussed the strategic importance of developing the lithium industry in Kazakhstan.

  • Tau-Ken Samruk to Explore Lithium Deposits near the Aral Sea with Funding from EBRD

    Tau-Ken Samruk to Explore Lithium Deposits near the Aral Sea with Funding from EBRD

    Tau-Ken Samruk, the national mining company, is set to conduct exploratory research funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to assess the presence of lithium in the brines of salt lakes near the Aral Sea. This initiative was announced by the company’s Chief Business Development Officer, Nariman Absametov, during the MINEX Kazakhstan -2024 forum. Absametov highlighted the similarities between Kazakhstan and South American countries, particularly Chile, where lithium is extracted from salt brines. The project, initiated six months ago, aims to demonstrate the presence of sufficient lithium in the region for industrial development. The EBRD has granted 400,000 euros, equivalent to 190.7 million tenge, for a two-year research project in the Aral Sea region.

    Tau-Ken Samruk is actively engaged in over 50 mining projects, with 15 partner companies. Notably, the company recently absorbed another national entity, Kazgeology, promising comprehensive support to partners in negotiations with government bodies. Absametov highlighted gold as the primary metal of interest, citing Tau-Ken Altyn, a refining plant in Astana, which exceeded its initial capacity of 25 tons of gold and 50 tons of silver annually since 2019, refining 55.6 tons of gold in 2022. Additionally, copper and rare earth metals are among the company’s areas of interest.

  • AM Resources Corp Expands Mining Operations in Austrian Pegmatite Belt

    AM Resources Corp Expands Mining Operations in Austrian Pegmatite Belt

    AM Resources Corp has significantly broadened its mining operations with the acquisition of a sizable 1,500 square kilometer land package in the Austrian Pegmatite Belt, establishing itself as a distinctive lithium exploration player in the area. This strategic expansion affords the company access to more than a hundred pegmatites within the Frederick Property, strategically positioning it in close proximity to 14 battery plants. The decision to invest in Austria is in line with the company’s objective to capitalize on established geology, market accessibility, historical expertise, and a favorable mining regulatory framework.