ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to establish a National Laboratory for Critical Materials in Astana as part of efforts to develop its mineral resources, strengthen geological exploration and reduce reliance on imports, First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlan Nalybayev said at a Nov. 4 government press conference.
Photo credit: IEAE
According to him, the laboratory will help identify priority areas for developing the country’s resource base and support Kazakhstan’s integration into global production chains.
The government’s strategy focuses on four production areas: materials for batteries, processing and production of materials for jet engine components, semiconductor manufacturing and the development of a complete production cycle for permanent magnets.
A portfolio of projects has been formed in these areas, including initiatives involving foreign investors. Kazakhstan is developing cooperation with Germany’s Bergbau AG, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Australia’s Lindian Resources and other international partners.
Manufacturing sector gains momentum
The initiative comes as Kazakhstan seeks to expand its manufacturing base and reduce the economy’s dependence on raw material exports.
Manufacturing output reached nearly 24.2 trillion tenge (US$53.3 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, increasing by 8.6% compared with the same period last year. The sector’s share of gross domestic product exceeded 14%, Nalybayev said.
Several industries recorded particularly strong growth. Machinery production increased by 22.8%, chemicals by 23.4%, food production by 13.8% and pharmaceuticals by 31%.
Kazakhstan plans to launch approximately 200 new industrial enterprises in 2026, with a combined investment of around 1.7 trillion tenge (US $3.7 billion).
“Our main priority for the sector is to rely on domestic production capabilities and reduce dependence on imports. State support will be provided to projects that deliver the greatest positive impact on the country’s economy,” Nalybayev said.
The government is also introducing a new approach to assessing industrial capacity. The Ministry of Industry and Construction has approved a methodology that will assess each proposed project against market demand, the capacity utilization of existing enterprises and the availability of resources.
The findings will be taken into account when granting incentives and refining government support measures.
A new industrial cluster model is also being introduced to strengthen cooperation between manufacturers, support the production of finished goods and bring small and medium-sized businesses into supply chains around major industrial enterprises.
New approaches to geological exploration
Kazakhstan is also introducing new technologies to improve geological exploration. For the first time, the country has launched state geological mapping at a scale of 1:50,000.
Over the next three years, the government plans to implement 20 projects covering approximately 100,000 square kilometers.
Alongside conventional exploration methods, specialists are using Ionic Leach technology to identify concealed mineral deposits, as well as artificial intelligence, satellite data and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Preliminary results have identified seven promising sites. Areas confirmed to have potential are expected to be prepared for auction next year, Nalybayev said.
The government is also integrating approximately 4.8 million records of primary geological information into the Unified Subsoil Use Platform. The integration is expected to improve access to existing geological data and support the search for new deposits.
By combining geological exploration with investment in domestic processing and manufacturing, Kazakhstan aims to strengthen its position in critical materials supply chains and develop industries that produce higher-value goods.
