Kazakhstan expands search for rare earth metals amid growing global demand

By Alimat Aliyeva

In Kazakhstan, the search for rare earth metals, which are in high demand on the global market, is being conducted at 12 sites, Azernews reports, citing Report with reference Kanat Sharlapayev, the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic.

"There is already data on the prospects of the Kuirektykol site in the East Kazakhstan region, where reserves are estimated at about 800,000 tons. The projected resources at this site are 935.4 thousand tons of rare earth metals, including cerium and lanthanides," Sharlapayev said, speaking at a government meeting on December 3.

The exploration activities are being carried out by private companies, particularly Cove Capital and HMS Bergbau. Subsurface users are also actively searching for areas containing copper and other valuable minerals.

In 2023, the total investment volume from 10 companies amounted to about 41 billion tenge (approximately 77.7 million dollars at the current exchange rate), enabling the study of over 25,000 square kilometers of land.

Sharlapayev also highlighted Kazakhstan’s growing mineral resource base, which includes 987 deposits of solid minerals. Over the past 30 years, the country has seen a significant increase in the reserves of key minerals such as iron, manganese, gold, uranium, and oil and gas.

As demand for rare earth metals continues to rise, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key player in the global supply chain. Rare earth metals, essential for the production of technologies like smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems, have become a critical part of modern industries. Kazakhstan's rich mineral reserves provide an opportunity for the country to strengthen its position on the world stage, especially as the global push for green energy and technology accelerates.