Kazakhstan sees rising interest in rare-earth sector

Interest in rare-earth metals in Kazakhstan is growing rapidly as global supply pressures linked to China push investors to seek alternative sources.

Speaking at the MINEX forum in Astana, Nikolai Radostovets, Executive Director of the Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises of Kazakhstan, said tighter export and procurement conditions in China have made it increasingly difficult for companies to secure rare-earth supplies, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media. 

“It has become more difficult to buy rare earths in China. Everyone immediately sprang into action, starting to look for suppliers in Kazakhstan,” Radostovets said.

He noted that the shift has driven renewed investor interest in Kazakhstan’s resource sector, with expectations that new legislative measures aimed at addressing industry challenges and attracting foreign investment will be introduced by the autumn.

Radostovets added that the entry of new companies could help accelerate the adoption of modern technologies and improve waste processing efficiency—developments seen as key to strengthening the country’s mining and metallurgical industries.

By Sabina Mammadli