Kazakhstan has invited United States companies to take part in the exploration and extraction of rare metals, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said during the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue.
The country's resource base includes more than 9,500 mineral deposits, over 100 of which contain rare and rare earth metals. We invite American companies to actively participate in their exploration and development," Nagaspayev was quoted as saying by Kazinform News Agency.
According to the minister, Kazakhstan has established a modern regulatory framework to support investment in the sector. In particular, the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code adopted in 2018 reformed the industry’s legal framework based on the models of Australia and Canada. It introduced a "first come, first served" licensing principle and simplified access to subsoil resources.
In addition, a unified digital platform for subsoil use was launched in 2023, moving all procedures-from licensing to reporting-into an online format. Since 2024, Kazakhstan has fully implemented the international CRIRSCO reporting standards, ensuring transparency and comparability of mineral resource reporting with global practices.
The minister said these measures had led to a significant increase in investor interest.
Since 2018, investment in geological exploration has tripled, exceeding $1 billion. Leading global companies, including Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, First Quantum, Ivanhoe, Teck, Fortescue and Cove Capital, have entered the Kazakh market," Nagaspayev said.
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