ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue on June 10, bringing together senior officials from Central Asian countries and the United States to strengthen cooperation on critical mineral supply chains, investment and technological development.
Photo credit: The Astana Times/ Fatima Kemelova Opening the dialogue, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said critical minerals are becoming the foundation of the global technological transition and a new industrial architecture.
Photo credit: The Astana Times/ Fatima Kemelova “Central Asia possesses significant mineral resources, growing industrial potential and a strategic location between major global markets. Kazakhstan views the critical minerals sector as a strategic priority and invites American companies to participate in exploration and development projects,” Nagaspayev said.
Nagaspayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve the investment climate in the mining sector. He noted that the country adopted a new Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code based on international best practices, introducing a “first come, first served” licensing principle and simplifying access to mineral resources.
In 2023, Kazakhstan launched a unified digital subsoil use platform, moving key processes online from licensing to reporting. Since 2024, the country has fully implemented CRIRSCO (Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards) international reporting standards to ensure transparency and compatibility with global industry practices.
According to Nagaspayev, Kazakhstan’s resource base includes more than 9,500 deposits, including over 100 deposits containing rare and rare earth metals. “These reforms have significantly increased investor interest. Since 2018, investment in geological exploration has tripled and exceeded $1 billion,” Nagaspayev said.
He noted that major international mining companies, including Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, First Quantum, Ivanhoe, Teck Resources, Fortescue and Cove Capital, have entered the Kazakh market. Nagaspayev emphasized that Kazakhstan seeks partnerships that go beyond raw material exports and include technology transfer, scientific cooperation, workforce development and the creation of industrial clusters.
“We believe that only through close cooperation between business and international partners can we build reliable and sustainable critical mineral supply chains,” he said.