Tokayev wants Kazakhstan to seize its rare metals advantage amid global race

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes the country must fully leverage its resource and industrial potential in the national interest. He made the remarks while chairing a Security Council meeting on the development of the critical materials industry.

The head of state noted that current global environment creates favorable conditions for countries with reserves of rare and rare earth metals. He pointed to growing international competition for access to critical materials. This is particularly important as their strategic significance for high-tech industries continues to grow.

«Under these conditions, Kazakhstan must effectively utilize its existing resource and industrial potential, consistently developing its own competencies and production chains,» he emphasized.

Tokayev also heard government reports on the current state of the industry, prospects for resource development, expansion of processing capacity and existing barriers.

Following the meeting, the government and relevant state agencies were instructed to develop a roadmap for the industry. The measures are expected to include improving regulation, expanding geological exploration and processing, bringing man-made mineral formations into economic use, strengthening laboratory capacity and workforce development, and eliminating administrative barriers.

Earlier this year, Tokayev also offered the EU access to Kazakhstan’s rare earth metals in exchange for investment.