World’s largest uranium producer to acquire beryllium from Rwanda

Kazakhstan’s state-owned Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund and the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) have signed a cooperation agreement, as reported by the fund’s press service.

Under the agreement, Kazakhstan will acquire beryllium extracted in Rwanda to meet the needs of uranium giant Kazatomprom.

RMB is a Rwandan government agency that regulates and manages the production of oil, gas and other natural resources.

Furthermore, on May 28, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit. During the meeting, the two sides discussed logistics for delivering Kazakhstani agricultural products to the African market, planned joint space research and agreed to implement projects in the fields of digitalization, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Rwanda also expressed its interest in Kazakhstani know-how in energy, natural resources mining and processing, according to the Akorda, the official residence and workplace of the president of Kazakhstan.

Beryllium is distinguished by its light weight and durability, making it suitable for various applications, including in the aerospace and defense industries. Other applications include nuclear power, where the metal serves as a neutron tamper and moderator; electronics, for high-precision pin and connector production; and medicine, for instance, in X-ray equipment.