The mining state holding “Tau-Ken Samruk” from Kazakhstan has joined the European Raw Materials Alliance. This move comes after Kazakhstan signed a partnership document with the European Commission in November of the previous year, focusing on sustainable raw materials, batteries, and value chains for “green” hydrogen. The technical development of a cooperation roadmap in this area has been completed, awaiting approval at higher levels. The inclusion of a Kazakhstani company in the alliance has generated positive reactions from participants in the mining industry, including Canadian company Arras Minerals. Additionally, countries such as the United States, Great Britain, and China have expressed active interest in collaborating with Kazakhstan in the exploration and production of critical minerals.
A raw materials summit is scheduled to take place in Brussels in mid-May, where the Ministry of Industry of Kazakhstan will present investment opportunities to European businesses interested in solid minerals cooperation. Kazakhstani organizations, in consortium with European partners, can participate in the Horizon Europe innovation and research funding program, which has allocated nearly 500 million euros for raw material projects between 2021 and 2024. The European Commission aims to jointly develop the value chain for obtaining critical and strategic raw materials for the green and digital transition, including rare earth metals. Previously, the European Commission report highlighted the EU’s dependence on the supply of Kazakh phosphorus, and there have been ongoing projects in Kazakhstan in collaboration with Europeans focused on critical minerals.
European companies have shown interest in a project for the exploration and production of lithium in East Kazakhstan, as reported earlier. The European Commission does not focus on specific raw materials but aims to support the development of critical mineral value chains in partnership with Kazakhstan.
