Kazakhstani company to produce millions of tons of graphite

Graphite Minerals, controlled by a Kazakhstani entrepreneur, plans to produce graphite at the Karagaily field in the Zhanasemey district of the Abay region. The company aims to produce at least 1.2 million tons of graphite per year over the next ten years, starting in 2026.

«Under the project, graphite will be extracted using an open-pit mining method… The technical specifications of the project indicate that the mine will have a capacity of 2.2 million tons of ore in the first year and 1.2 million tons in the following years,» the company said in a statement.

Graphite production is expected to begin in 2026 and continue for ten years. The mine pit will cover 45.9 hectares. According to Graphite Minerals, geological exploration conducted in the region in the 1960s confirmed the viability of graphite extraction. The company plans to either send its ore for processing (information on potential processors is unavailable) or supply it directly to buyers (no details provided). According to eGov, the sole owner of Graphite Minerals, which was registered in Astana on January 29, 2024, is Sanzhar Zhakashev.

Graphite is used in the production of various materials and components, including fireproof materials, phone parts, TV screen coatings, rings and bearings. The material is also essential for heat-exchange units, condensers, heaters, filters and pumping equipment. Additionally, graphite plays a crucial role in nuclear reactors and the defense industry. For example, it is used in solid-propellant rocket nozzles, rocket nose cones, aerospace equipment parts, insulation and radiation protection materials.