Kazakhstan seeks critical minerals deal with France

The Ministry of Industry touted Kazakhstan’s potential at a meeting with foreign investors / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Milosh Muratovskiy

Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan Yersain Nagaspayev has offered French companies the opportunity to purchase critical minerals from Kazakhstan. The official made this proposal during the Kazakh-French business forum in Astana today.

«We already can supply 21 types of critical materials from the EU’s list of 34. Moreover, in the medium term, we can ensure supplies of the remaining 13 types. Kazakhstan is ready to serve as a reliable supplier of critical raw materials and to enter into offtake contracts [with producers] in exchange for stable supply commitments,» Nagaspayev said.

The minister also noted that Kazakhstan already has ties with several French companies:

Aubert & Duval has been purchasing titanium sponges and ingots from the country for the joint French-Kazakhstani enterprise UKAD in Les Ancizes (France);
ERAMET is studying lithium mining projects in the Aral Sea region and exploring rutile and zirconium sand deposits;
SAFRAN is in discussions regarding cooperation on rhenium supplies;
InfraVia Capital Partners intends to invest in technologies and infrastructure for critical mineral projects.

«Kazakhstan already supplies titanium and beryllium to France and is ready to increase both the volume and the range of such supplies,» Nagaspayev emphasized.

He pointed out that Kazakhstan has more to offer, highlighting the country’s intention to conclude offtake contracts for new materials. These projects include:

Launch of gallium production (ERG);
Processing of nickel alloys with rhenium extraction (Zhezkazganredmet);
Production of manganese sulfate certified by Tesla (Taza Metal Technologies);
Launch of spheroidized graphite production.

«Moreover, we are open to cooperation in intermediate processing of rare metals and supplying finished components for the assembly of final products in France,» the minister noted.

He also announced that an auction for 50 solid mineral deposits — including 21 critical mineral sites — will be held soon. In total, 15 agreements and memorandums in the fields of energy, tourism, healthcare and water resource management were signed between the two parties during the business forum.