Kazakhstan discovered vast rare earth reserves amid global demand
Astana expands exploration and digital reforms to position itself as a key rare earth supplier for clean energy technologies
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan has confirmed reserves of 2.6 million tons of rare earth elements as part of a nationwide exploration drive, underscoring the country’s ambitions to play a larger role in the global transition to clean energy technologies.
According to the Geology Committee under the Ministry of Industry and Construction, recent surveys identified 38 promising sites for rare earths, non-ferrous metals, and hydrocarbons.
The Astana Times reported that the discoveries include not only rare earths but also 23,800 tons of beryllium, 3.7 million tons of copper and nickel, 19 tons of gold, 2 million tons of zirconium, 0.5 million tons of niobium, and 0.4 million tons of tungsten.
Officials say the Kuirektykol site in the Karagandy Region alone holds roughly 800,000 tons of rare earths, with potential reserves expected to double through further exploration.
The government has made rare earth development a strategic priority. At a cabinet meeting in August, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov called for modernizing production facilities, expanding geological exploration, and developing research capacity.
Since 2018, Kazakhstan has invested 67 billion Kazakhstani tenge ($124 million) into the sector.
Authorities are also digitalizing the industry to improve transparency and efficiency. A unified subsoil use platform, launched in mid-2023, now provides electronic access to more than 60,000 geological reports and processes applications for exploration and mining rights.
By January 2025, the system had issued over 1,000 licenses for solid mineral exploration and 19 for extraction, while digitizing thousands of contracts.
Kazakhstan’s push comes as global demand for critical minerals continues to climb. The International Energy Agency’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook reported that lithium demand rose nearly 30 percent in 2024, while nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earths increased by 6–8 percent.
Rare earths are vital components in wind turbines, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics, but supply chains remain highly concentrated, raising concerns about export restrictions and potential disruptions.
Kazakh officials say they aim to leverage the country’s geological base to attract international partnerships in refining and downstream industries. “Global collaboration remains essential to diversifying supply sources, linking resource-rich countries with those possessing refining capabilities and downstream consumers,” the IEA report warned.
By expanding exploration, digitizing access to geological data, and courting foreign investment, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a critical supplier of rare earths at a time when governments worldwide are racing to secure reliable sources for the clean energy transition.
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