ASTANA — Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are negotiating tungsten supply agreements, signaling deepening ties in resource development and economic cooperation between the two nations. According to Kazinform, the collaboration stems from a 2023 memorandum of understanding in the critical minerals sector, followed by a roadmap signed earlier this year.
UK-Kazakhstan critical minerals partnership. Photo credit: Kazinform
A conference organized by the British Association of Critical Minerals on Dec. 2 brought together over 300 mining industry representatives, experts, diplomats and officials. The event underscored the importance of the Kazakh-British partnership, which British officials consider one of the most promising in the field.
Strengthening cooperation
According to Oliver Richards, head of the Mining Department at the UK Department of Business and Trade, Kazakh-British joint efforts have started showing results.
Since the memorandum’s signing, the British Embassy in Kazakhstan has facilitated business deals worth 5.4 million pounds (US$6.9 million) while strengthening business, political and educational ties. These initiatives are expected to bring the UK economic benefits valued at 100 million pounds (US$126.8 million) over the next five years.
Efforts to enhance cooperation include the British Geological Survey’s collaboration with the Kazakh Geological Survey to digitize geological data. This digitization aims to make investment decisions more informed while minimizing risks for British companies.
Additionally, Kazakh manufacturers have established contacts with six British brokers and three end-users of tungsten products, paving the way for ongoing supply contract negotiations.
Expanding critical mineral lists and challenges
The British Information Center on Critically Important Minerals recently expanded its critical mineral list from 18 to 34, highlighting increasing challenges in sustaining reliable supply chains. Newly added resources include aluminum, nickel, titanium and zinc. The growing demand for these materials is driven by their role in technologies crucial to national security and economic growth.
“This assessment confirms that the diversification of the UK economy and increased reliance on global trade have heightened vulnerability to disruptions in critical mineral supplies,” said Gavin Mudd, director of the Critical Minerals Intelligence Center of the British Geological Survey, during the conference.
Kazakhstan’s mineral wealth and processing goals
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Construction, whose representative spoke at one of the side events of the conference, the country possesses 9,000 deposits of 103 mineral types, including tungsten, vanadium, cobalt, lithium and molybdenum. Kazakhstan ranks 11th globally in nickel reserves, with over two million tons.
Kazakhstan has become a vital supplier for industries worldwide, with its titanium used in aircraft fuselages, rhenium in jet engines and beryllium from the Ulba Metallurgical Plant in satellites and nuclear energy applications. Recently, the nation has supplied 5% of the global high-purity manganese sulfate market, essential for lithium-ion batteries. Future plans include doubling manganese sulfate production and manufacturing nickel and cobalt cathode components.
Kazakhstan prioritizes processing its resources domestically, adding value to raw materials and fostering economic growth. While foreign companies retain the right to export, local production facilities provide opportunities for in-country processing, aligning with Kazakhstan’s long-term development goals.
Prospects for future cooperation
Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a reliable partner for the UK in critical minerals, leveraging its resource wealth and expanding processing capabilities. By 2025-2026, modern enterprises involving foreign participation are expected to emerge, enabling deeper raw material processing.
For British companies, flexibility and active engagement in these ventures could be pivotal, promising strengthened cooperation and long-term benefits for both nations. This partnership illustrates a shared commitment to securing sustainable and mutually beneficial resource development.
The article was originally published in Kazinform.
