Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Industry and Construction, Olzhas Saparbekov, highlighted Kazakhstan’s potential in rare metals development during a conference on critical raw materials and trade policy held in Brussels on March 26. The event, organized within the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), provided a platform for discussing EU cooperation with external partners.
Saparbekov emphasized the importance of the event for Kazakhstan, emphasizing the country’s interest in developing its rare earth metal industry. He noted discussions with EU representatives and European businesses interested in industry development and technology transfer, particularly in raw material extraction and processing.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Margulan Baimukhan, highlighted the conference as an opportunity to exchange views and expertise on Kazakhstan’s role and prospects in the industry.
Amid concerns over China’s dominant control of global rare earth elements (REE) production, Western nations are seeking alternative sources to mitigate potential disruptions. Kazakhstan is emerging as a prominent contender, drawing increased attention as a strategic supplier of these crucial materials.
Already supplying over half of the raw materials essential to the EU economy, Kazakhstan’s significance in the global market is undeniable. Its status as one of the top 10 copper-producing nations underscores its potential to establish a robust cluster for battery material production, including nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium.
