Kazakhstan to double copper ore output by 2030 amid major mining push

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan is scaling up its ambitions in the global metals market, unveiling plans to double its copper ore output to 300 million tons by 2030, alongside major boosts in iron and steel production.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Olzhas Saparbekov announced the expansion during a government meeting on July 22, pointing to three major deposits—Aidarly, Koksai, and Benkala—as key drivers of the copper surge.

According to Kazinform News Agency, the country also aims to increase iron ore production by 40%, reaching 52 million tons, largely through enhanced domestic processing by Qarmet and the rollout of hot briquetted iron (HBI) projects.

The broader industrial plan is expected to push copper output from 500,000 to 1.2 million tons annually, while HBI production could reach 5 million tons. Steel output is projected to triple from 4.1 million to 13 million tons in the same timeframe.

Kazakhstan also plans to boost its domestic metal processing capacity. Saparbekov noted that by the end of this year alone, copper processing is expected to double, aluminum by 1.5 times, lead by 2.3 times, and zinc by 11%.

By 2030, the country expects to process 91,000 tons of copper, 163,000 tons of aluminum, and 81,000 tons of lead into higher-value finished products—a shift aimed at reducing raw exports and strengthening Kazakhstan’s industrial value chain.

The announcement comes as Kazakhstan deepens its partnership with international mining firms, including a large-scale copper exploration initiative with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.