Key Minerals in Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan Tests Lithium Extraction Process from Low-Grade Ores
Kazakh scientists have announced the successful testing of a method to recover lithium from low-grade ores—a development that aligns with the country’s broader strategic ambition to play a larger role in critical mineral processing.
The Ministry of Industry and Construction describes this process as an innovative technology for treating lithium-bearing aluminosilicate ores. While these ores contain lithium, their grade is relatively low, making the challenge not only one of mining but also of achieving economically efficient separation.
Lithium is widely used in rechargeable batteries, including those for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. As clean energy technologies become more widespread, demand for lithium and other critical minerals continues to grow, prompting governments worldwide to pay increasing attention to where these materials are mined and processed. The United Nations has warned that if extraction and processing are poorly managed, the surge in demand for minerals essential to energy transition could lead to environmental degradation and unequal benefit distribution.
The core of the newly disclosed process in Kazakhstan is “carbothermal reduction smelting”—a high-temperature technique that uses carbon assistance to separate valuable components from the ore. According to the ministry, this method enables lithium to be concentrated in a chemically reactive form within the slag, making subsequent processing into lithium salts significantly easier.
Feruza Berdikulova, the project lead, stated that the resulting concentrate contains 12% to 14% lithium oxide, compared to traditional methods which typically yield no more than 5% to 6% lithium oxide in concentrates.
The ministry notes that the process also offers other potential advantages, including reduced use of highly corrosive sulfuric acid solutions, lower production costs, and diminished environmental impact.
While these claims are significant, they must be viewed with caution. The ministry’s statement does not specify whether the process has been tested beyond laboratory or pilot-scale settings, nor does it provide detailed information on cost or scalability potential.
Kazakhstan boasts abundant mineral resources and a long-standing mining tradition. However, establishing a competitive lithium industry will require far more than lab results. Securing funding to ensure reliable large-scale processing remains one of the biggest challenges.
This research is being carried out by the National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials—an institution under national oversight, housing multiple mining and metallurgy institutes and laboratories, including a rare metals laboratory. As global markets seek to reduce over-concentration in supply chains and identify alternative sources, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a future supplier of critical minerals.
Previously, Central Asia Times reported that the latest geological surveys of the rare earth deposit at Kuirektykol in the Karaganda region have revised the estimated reserve of commercially viable rare earth elements upward from an initial 20 million tons to 28.2 million tons.
In addition, the country plans to establish an international-level rare earth metal laboratory in Astana—under the National Geological Service and certified by RCI Inspection and PARAGON. This facility aims to enhance Kazakhstan’s capacity to test and certify critical minerals for international markets.
The announcement regarding lithium processing should be understood within this context. It does not mean Kazakhstan is about to become a major lithium producer, but it reaffirms the government’s intent to move beyond mere raw material extraction and develop the necessary capabilities to compete in higher-value segments of the critical minerals supply chain.
Source: Central Asia Times
Author: Dmitry Pokidayev
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870053885306890/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.