ASTANA – Kazakhstan has invited U.S. businesses to develop long-term industrial and technology partnerships in critical minerals, highlighting its resource base, infrastructure, regulatory framework and skilled Kanat Sharlapayev at a B20 Summit panel on U.S.-Central Asia partnerships in critical minerals in Washington.
Photo credit: Atameken. Kanat Sharlapayev, chairman of the Presidium of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, outlined these advantages at a B20 Summit panel on Central Asia-U.S. public-private partnerships in Washington on Nov. 9-11. Sharlapayev described Kazakhstan’s competitive advantages as Superfecta, combining four factors: diverse mineral resources, developed infrastructure, predictable regulation and qualified personnel, the chamber’s press service reported on Nov.
11. “From 2022 to 2025, capital investment in metal ore mining in Kazakhstan increased by approximately 62%, while total investment in geological exploration grew 2.5 times to reach $1 billion,” he said. He highlighted opportunities in deeper mineral processing, technology transfer and industrial development, citing the Sarytogan graphite project, with resources exceeding 65 million tons, Taza Metal Technologies’ high-purity manganese sulfate production and the Akbulak joint exploration project between Kazgeology and Cove Kaz Capital Group, where rare earth elements, including neodymium and praseodymium, have been identified.
International companies operating in Kazakhstan include Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Ivanhoe Mines, Arras Minerals, B2Gold and East Star Resources. On the sidelines of the summit, Sharlapayev met with Dan Levine, founder and managing partner of Tenfore Holdings, to discuss cooperation in advanced manufacturing, robotics, smart logistics and artificial intelligence.
He also met Heidi Crebo-Rediker, senior fellow in the Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), to discuss private investment in infrastructure and critical minerals, public-private partnerships and long-term financing for small and medium-sized businesses.
The B20 Summit is taking place in Washington on Nov. 9-11 as part of the U.S. presidency of the G20. Kazakhstan’s business delegation includes representatives from industry, energy, agribusiness and transport and logistics.