LONDON(Correspondent LP) – At the Mineral Processing and Circular Economy business forum in London, a strategic roadmap for collaboration in critical minerals was signed by Iran Sharkhan, the Kazakh Vice Minister of Industry and Construction, and Nusrat Ghani, the UK Minister of Industry and Economic Security.
This roadmap marks a significant step forward from the memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership in critical minerals, which was first established during the visit of British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to Astana in March 2023. Critical minerals include metals and rare elements that are essential for modern technology, national security, and economic prosperity.
Sharkhan, who led the Kazakh delegation, outlined the main areas of focus in the roadmap. These include general cooperation in geology, personnel training, and technology transfer. Of the 18 critical minerals identified by the British Geological Survey, Kazakhstan has the capability to produce eight and holds reserves of raw materials for another ten.
The primary goal of the collaboration with the UK is to attract investments in geological exploration and technological advancement. Sharkhan stressed that foreign investors who acquire rights to develop a field in Kazakhstan are obliged to process raw materials within the country and establish new production facilities.
Importantly, the export limit for processed raw materials aligns with the average processing stage, ensuring compatibility with low-tech goods or semi-finished products.
