Business Opportunity: Critical Raw Minerals in Kazakhstan
The recent global disruptions in trade, logistics and geopolitical tensions have forced the EU to reconsider its supply chain not only for oil and gas, but also for critical raw minerals.
Kazakhstan produces approximately 18 out of 34 raw minerals which are identified by the EU as critical for batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels and other clean energy components. In November 2022, EU signed Strategic Partnership on raw materials with the Government of Kazakhstan. The partnership became operational in May of 2023 and intends to deepen the cooperation in the field of raw materials, processing and recycling, battery, and renewable hydrogen.
Kazakhstan has announced exploration investment plan of approximately EUR 430.3 million at Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in 2026 in Toronto. Of the investment plan, EUR 69.71 million will be allocated directly from the state budget for geological exploration across 11 regions of the country, In addition, the Bank of Development of Kazakhstan approved EUR 860.6 million financing program for 2025-2026 specifically targeting geological exploration.
Key relevant minerals to Finnish industries and technologies
- Copper: Kazakhstan ranks as the world’s eight largest producer (2023 data).
- Uranium: Kazakhstan is the leading producer, accounting for around 40% of supply through KazAtomProm.
- Graphite: The country holds some of the largest deposits globally, including Sarytogan in the Karaganda region.
- Tungsten: Negotiations are ongoing for two deposits in Karaganda between Cove Capital Group (US) and Tau-Ken Samruk, with an investment value of nearly EUR 800 million.
- Lithium and polymetallic minerals: Exploration and tailings reprocessing are underway in concession in East Kazakhstan.
- Titanium sponge: Kazakhstan produces around 17 % of the worlds titanium sponge (2024 data).
- Rare earth elements: Major deposits are under active exploration and early-stage development.
The major projects under active development or investment negotiations
- Akbulak Rare Earth project with Cove Kaz Capital and Qazgology under JSC Tau-Ken Samruk. The project includes revising historical geological data, conducting surface mapping, structural analysis and carrying out metallurgical testing.
- The North Katpar and Upper Kairakty projects involve cooperation between Cove Kaz Capital and Tau-Ken Samruk. The agreement covers the construction of two processing plants and metallurgical production.
- Lithium project in East Kazakhstan with German HMS Bergbau and Korean partners linked to KIGAM. The projects focuses on the exploration and extraction of lithium oxide concentrate.
- The Shalkiya Polymetallic Deposit (Tau-Ken Samruk) is under development with an investment of approximately EUR 568 million.
- Kodzhanchad group of deposits in Pavlodar in Northern Kazakhstan
- Taldy in East Kazakhstanand Nizhny Agynykatty in Abai region
- East Hope Group Aluminium project in Kastanai and Abai regions
The international investors from the EU, US, Canada and China are advancing negotiations and partnerships with Kazakhstan’s mining sector. While many activities have been conducted, Kazakhstan’s mining sector faces challenges such as outdated equipment and technologies. Approximately 50 % of mining processing and smelting companies require modernization. At the same time, the Kazakh government has introduced stricter environment standards.
The following will require sustainable modernization of processing equipment, water management and further advanced mining digital equipment
- Flotation equipment, crushing and gridding, hydrometallurgical systems;
- Flesh smelting, copper refining process technologies;
- Water treatment chemicals, tailing water recycling, process water management;
- Material handling, logistic equipment for mine to export chain;
- Planning software, survey instruments;
- 5G network for underground connectivity and automation;
- Atmospheric monitoring, gas sensors, dust measurement due to the tightened ecological standards;
- Analytical and calibration services;
- Mine electrification, power management, energy storage integration.
Upcoming Exhibitions and Fairs
- Mining Week, 23-25th of June 2026, miningweek.kz
- Mining and Metals Central Asia, 16-18th of September 2026, mining-metals.kz
- Power Expo, 21-23rd of October 2026, powerexpo.kz
Team Finland network can support Finnish companies in the activities in Kazakhstan
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Altyn Shakirkhanova, Senior Business Advisor / Head of EastCham Branch in Kazakhstan [email protected]