Bektenov held a meeting on the implementation of the President’s instructions for the development of the rare and rare-earth metals industry
Images | primeminister.kz
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on the development of the rare and rare-earth metals industry as part of the implementation of the President’s instructions given at the expanded Government session on attracting advanced technologies and investments in this sector, primeminister.kz reports.
The meeting was attended by Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs Kanat Sharlapayev, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspaev, Chairman of the Board of the National Welfare Fund "Samruk-Kazyna" Nurlan Zhakupov, and Acting Chairman of the Board of JSC "NAC Kazatomprom" Marat Tulebayev.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for modernization of existing production facilities and infrastructure, expansion of geological exploration, introduction of modern processing technologies, and the development of a research base.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the production of rare and rare-earth metals accounts for 2.4% of Kazakhstan’s metallurgy. Since 2018, state funding for the industry has amounted to 67 billion tenge.
Large-scale geological exploration is underway: 25 sites are being studied at a scale of 1:50,000 with a total area of 100,000 sq. km. In 2024, 38 promising deposits of solid minerals were discovered. By 2025, geological and geophysical exploration coverage of the country will reach 2,038,000 sq. km, and by 2026 - 2.2 million sq. km.
Currently, Kazakhstan produces beryllium, tantalum, niobium, scandium, titanium, rhenium, osmium, and additionally extracts bismuth, antimony, selenium, and tellurium. In addition, technologies for extracting gallium and indium are available.
Promising areas of the industry include the production and recycling of battery materials, heat-resistant alloys, semiconductor materials, and the recycling of permanent magnets.
Overall, the Government is taking measures for the further development of the industry. A Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2028 is being implemented. Funds have been allocated for the modernization of the rare metals workshop at RSE "Zhezkazganredmet." To attract investors, access to geological information, including rare and rare-earth metals, has been ensured.
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed to focus efforts on in-depth exploration of subsoil resources, accelerated registration and accounting of technogenic mineral formations, development of battery material production and recycling, as well as active production of heat-resistant nickel alloys. In addition, attention was paid to the work on creating a Regional Research Center for Rare and Rare-Earth Metals on the basis of RSE "National Center for Technology Foresight."
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Kazakhstan ready to supply goods worth at least $200mn to Iran
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The Head of State said that Kazakhstan is ready to supply goods worth at least $200 million to Iran.
He hailed the growing volume of the bilateral trade, highlighting the importance of diversification of trade.
He stressed the need to boost interaction in agriculture, transport and logistics, mining sectors, medicine, and advanced technologies.
Tokayev expressed confidence that the documents signed today would give a strong impetus to further development of the political and economic interaction.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also backed the initiative to set up the Trade House of Kazakhstan in Tehran, highlighting the importance of boosting the activity of the Business Council and effectively utilize the potential of the Kazakh-Iranian Commerce and Industry Chamber.
Since January 2025, Iran has invested 17.8 million US dollars of direct investments into Kazakhstan’s economy. Iranian businessmen are actively involved in the implementation of such projects as the launch of a cheese production plant in Almaty region and a leather processing factory in the West Kazakhstan region.
Kazakhstani business entities are also implementing a number of projects in Iran.
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Kazakhstan-Iran trade rises by 40%
Images | akorda.kz
Head of State Kassym-Jomart and President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian held a narrow-format meeting in the Akorda Palace, Qazinform News Agency reports.
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We hold unwavering respect for the Iranian people. Despite all difficulties, we continue to strengthen our ties. Relations between our countries have deep roots. We share similar customs, traditions, and culture. We have interacted for centuries. Kazakhstan has always supported Iran. There are no problems or unresolved issues between us," he said.
The Kazakh President expressed confidence that both nations have great potential for cooperation.
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Over the first ten months of this year, indicators rose by 40% compared to 2024, which is undoubtedly a positive result. We must maintain this pace and further increase the volume of mutual trade," the Head of State said.
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Kazakhstan and Slovenia Strengthen Economic Dialogue
Images | gov.kz
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Slovenia Altay Abibullayev at a meeting with Peter Japelj, Director of the Department of Economic, Cultural and Scientific Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, discussed a range of issues of bilateral cooperation and the implementation of agreements reached following the official visit of the President of the Republic of Slovenia to Kazakhstan in March 2025, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
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Washington Shows Strong Interest in Expanding Cooperation with Kazakhstan on Critical Minerals
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The "Atlantic Council" hosted a roundtable discussion dedicated to Kazakhstan’s potential in the field of critical minerals, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The event brought together Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States Magzhan Ilyassov, Senior Director of the "Atlantic Council’s" Eurasia Center John Herbst, representatives of the U.S. Government, American development finance institutions, businesses, and the expert community.
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Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Coordination in the Mining and Metallurgical Sector
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia Madiyar Menilbekov met with Khalid Al-Mudaifer, Vice-Minister of Industry and Mineral Recourses of the Kingdom, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
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In this context, the parties emphasized the importance of implementing the agreements reached during the meeting between the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yersaiyn Nagaspayev, and the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom, Bandar Al-Khorayef, held on the sidelines of the 21st session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference in November 2025.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed on further steps to promote a mutually beneficial partnership.
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Kazakhstan to redirect oil from Kashagan to China following CPC attacks
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The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan has decided to revise the export routes of oil from the Kashagan field following drone attacks on the infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Part of the volumes will be directed to China, Qazinform News Agency reports.
At present, the ministry, together with shippers, is working to redistribute oil volumes. Measures have been taken to redirect a certain amount of Kashagan oil to the PRC. The situation is under constant control of the Ministry of Energy," a statement reads.
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