BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 11. Critical minerals
are becoming one of the key resources of the new industrial era,
Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said.


This is stated in a statement by the press service of the Kazakh
government


Bektenov made the remarks during a plenary session of the 16th
International Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress. According to
him, the mining and metallurgical sector is emerging as one of the
key drivers of global competitiveness.


"The world is entering a new industrial era in which the
development of energy, the digital economy, artificial
intelligence, electric vehicles, microelectronics, and the
aerospace industry directly depends on reliable access to metals
and mineral resources," he said.


Furthermore, Bektenov noted that, according to international
experts, global demand for many metals is expected to grow steadily
in the coming decades, driven by the energy transition and the
technological transformation of the global economy.


"Possession of advanced technologies, processing capabilities,
and participation in global value chains are gaining particular
importance. The market for critical minerals is forming a distinct
and highly significant niche. Already today, they serve as the
foundation for the production of batteries, semiconductors, energy
storage systems, digital infrastructure, and many other advanced
technologies. In fact, critical minerals are becoming one of the
key resources of the new industrial era. Kazakhstan possesses
substantial mineral resource potential and is well positioned to
secure a достойное place in these processes," he said.







The prime minister stressed that Kazakhstan ranks among the
world's leaders in reserves of a number of mineral resources, while
products from the country's mining and metallurgical sector are in
demand across major global markets.


"We view the development of this industry as one of the
strategic priorities of the country's new industrial policy,"
Bektenov added.


Speaking about the broader economy, he noted that Kazakhstan's
economic growth reached 6.5% in 2025, while the country's gross
domestic product exceeded $300 billion for the first time.


"The new Constitution of our country has enshrined the
institutional foundations of this course. It strengthens guarantees
for the protection of property and investments, reinforces the rule
of law, and creates a solid basis for the country's long-term
economic development," Bektenov said.


16th Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress attracts over 1,500
delegates from 16 countries.