BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 15. Kazakhstan is
actively developing its critical raw materials sector and
strengthening cooperation with major international partners amid
growing global demand for rare earth and strategic metals. In
essence, a global competition is underway for access to these
resources, given their essential role in future technologies,
energy systems, and industrial development.


The 16th International Mining and Metallurgy Congress, Astana
Mining & Metallurgy (AMM-2026), was held in Astana. Ahead of the
forum, the C5+1 Dialogue on critical minerals took place,
co-chaired by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction,
Yersayin Nagaspayev, and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central
Asia, Sergio Gor. The organization of such events indicates that
the issue of critical minerals is increasingly integrated into
Astana’s foreign policy agenda.


According to the Ministry of Industry and Construction,
Kazakhstan possesses more than 9,500 deposits, over 100 of which
contain rare and rare-earth metals. As of early 2026, the country’s
reserves of key resources include gold, oil, gas, coal, and iron in
significant volumes. In April 2025, a major rare earth metals
deposit was also discovered in the Karaganda region with estimated
resources of up to 20 million tons. This underscores the country’s
substantial resource base, while also highlighting the challenges
associated with its full-scale development and utilization.


Interest in Kazakhstan is increasing from the United States and
the European Union, both of which seek to reduce their dependence
on China for supplies of critical materials. As a result, major
international companies, including Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, Cove
Capital, First Quantum, and Ivanhoe, are expanding their presence
in the country. These firms are not only gaining access to raw
materials but are also introducing advanced operational standards
to the sector. Kazakhstan has also stated that it is capable of
supplying 20 out of 60 critical minerals identified by the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS). In March 2025, Kazakhstan and the EU
signed a 3 million euro agreement in the field of critical raw
materials. At the same time, the country is gradually seeking to
shift from the export of raw materials toward domestic
processing.


However, a significant portion of resources remains untapped due
to limited technologies for complex extraction. Additional
challenges include insufficient infrastructure investment,
environmental risks, and energy constraints, particularly for
processing industries. An important development was the revision of
the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code signed in December 2025 by
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, aimed at simplifying regulatory
procedures for investors and encouraging geological exploration
projects.







Logistics also remains a key factor. Due to restrictions on
northern transport routes via Russia, alternative corridors are
gaining importance, particularly the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (Middle Corridor). In February 2026, the World Bank
approved an $846 million guarantee to mobilize $1.41 billion in
financing for the development of railway infrastructure along this
route in Kazakhstan. The TRIPP corridor (Trump Route for
International Peace and Prosperity), passing through Armenia and
Azerbaijan and supported by the United States, is also expected to
play an important role in ensuring supply stability.


The development of these transport routes is significant for
exports of rare earth metals and uranium, as well as for
strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in negotiations with external
partners.


Overall, Kazakhstan is developing its critical minerals sector,
and its raw material resources are gradually becoming an important
factor for both the economy and foreign policy. However, resources
alone are not enough to achieve sustainable results. New
technologies, developed infrastructure, reliable transport routes,
and significant investments are required to launch extraction and
processing. Attracting such investment is one of the key priorities
of Astana’s policy. If all this is successfully implemented, the
country will be able to earn not only from raw material exports but
also from processing and finished products.


This is especially important at a time when the world is
transitioning to green energy, and countries are trying to reduce
dependence on oil and other traditional resources. Against this
backdrop, Kazakhstan needs to develop processing and not limit
itself to raw material extraction. In this case, the country will
be able to generate higher income not only from resource exports
but also from higher value-added products — finished materials and
components for new industries.