Key Minerals: The Kazakh Government Studies the Development of Rare Metals and Rare Earth Elements, Prime Minister Calls for Expanded Exploration and Technological Upgrades
Kazakhstan International News Agency - According to a statement on the Prime Minister's official website, on the 21st, Prime Minister Alikhan Bukeev chaired a special meeting to specifically study the development of rare metals and rare earth metals industry.
Bukeev pointed out at the meeting that it is necessary to modernize existing production facilities and infrastructure, expand geological exploration, introduce advanced processing technologies, and strengthen scientific research infrastructure.
Data provided by the Ministry of Industry and Construction shows that the production of rare metals and rare earth metals currently accounts for 2.4% of Kazakhstan's metallurgical industry. Since 2018, the industry has received a total of 67 billion tenge in state financing support.
A large-scale geological exploration is currently underway: 25 areas with a total area of 100,000 square kilometers are being explored at a scale of 1:50,000. In 2024, 38 new promising solid mineral areas were discovered. It is expected that by 2025, the area of geological and geophysical surveys will be expanded to 2.038 million square kilometers, and by 2026, it will reach 2.2 million square kilometers.
Kazakhstan has the production capacity for beryllium, tantalum, niobium, scandium, titanium, rhenium, osmium, and other rare metals, and also mines bismuth, antimony, selenium, and tellurium, and has mastered the technology for extracting gallium and indium.
The key development directions of this industry include the production and recycling of battery materials and heat-resistant alloys, semiconductor material manufacturing, and the recycling of permanent magnets.
Currently, the government is implementing the comprehensive plan for 2024-2028. Relevant funds have been allocated for the modernization of the rare metal workshop at the "Jezkazgan Rare Metal Plant." To attract investors, the government has opened up geological information to the market, including data on rare metal and rare earth metal reserves.
Bukeev emphasized that efforts should be concentrated to accelerate underground resource research, promote the accounting and national registration of technical minerals, expand the production and processing of battery materials, and actively develop the manufacture of heat-resistant nickel alloys.
The meeting also discussed the work of establishing a regional center for rare metals and rare earth metals based on the National Technology Forecasting Center.
Background Information: Rare metals and rare earth metals are strategically important for modern industry. In 2024, the global market size of related raw materials reached 1.6 million tons, with an average annual growth rate of 30% between 2023 and 2024.
Notably, with the continuous progress of geological exploration work, Kazakhstan may become the third largest country in terms of rare earth metal reserves in the world, following China and Brazil. Experts point out that if the reserves of some newly discovered mining areas are confirmed, Kazakhstan will occupy an important position in the supply chain of global green technology and high-tech industries in the future.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841065117783104/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.