Kazakhstan is seeking cooperation with Belgian industrial companies to develop domestic rare earth processing and separation facilities, aiming to supply higher-value critical materials to European manufacturers and diversify supply chains currently dominated by China.
The proposed partnerships would extend across the mineral value chain, from extraction and chemical processing to separation and advanced materials manufacturing. Under the planned approach, European companies would contribute processing technologies, industrial equipment and technical expertise, with more production activities gradually transferred to Kazakhstan.
At an industry meeting held at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Deputy Industry and Construction Minister Olzhas Saparbekov said Kazakhstan had the geological and industrial potential to supply 21 of the 34 critical raw materials identified by the European Union.
Processing technology and industrial partnerships
Kazakhstan already produces strategic metals including tantalum, niobium and beryllium, but expanding domestic processing capacity is central to capturing more value from its mineral resources.
Potential areas of cooperation with Belgian companies include hydrometallurgical extraction, rare earth oxide separation, mineral recycling, equipment manufacturing and specialised materials production. These activities could support supply chains serving electric vehicles, batteries, wind turbines, semiconductors, aerospace equipment and specialised industrial alloys. The government is also preparing to develop gallium production capacity of 15 tonnes annually, targeting a material used in semiconductor and electronics supply chains.
Belgium could contribute processing expertise and access to European customers through the Port of Antwerp, a major logistics gateway for chemicals, metals and industrial materials. Companies represented at the discussions included Molymet Belgium and Australia’s Lindian Resources, which has rare earth processing interests in Kazakhstan. The discussions remain preliminary. No binding investment commitments, construction budgets or commercial supply agreements have been announced. The next steps are expected to include mineral sample exchanges, laboratory analysis, processing trials and feasibility assessments.
Exploration spending and rare earth resources
Kazakhstan has allocated more than 67 billion tenge, equivalent to approximately €130 million, to geological exploration since 2018. Government programmes covering 11 sites have identified 38 prospective areas, supporting efforts to identify additional mineral deposits. Particular attention is focused on the Kuirektykol rare earth deposit in the Karaganda region, where exploration has indicated substantially greater mineral resources than previously estimated.
Geological potential alone does not establish the commercial viability of a deposit. Further development decisions will depend on ore grades, metallurgical recovery rates, processing costs, environmental requirements and the availability of long-term industrial customers.
The challenge is to demonstrate that Kazakhstan can produce separated and refined materials at competitive costs. This requires moving beyond resource identification towards proven processing technologies and economically viable production.
European research and project financing
Kazakhstan plans to establish a regional rare earth research and testing centre with participation from European institutions. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has supported the preparation of a preliminary feasibility study for the initiative. Construction of the planned laboratory complex is expected to begin in 2027, with operations targeted for 2028.
The facility would support mineral characterisation, processing technology selection and pilot-scale testing. Its work would provide technical evidence needed to assess deposits and processing methods before larger commercial investments proceed. Potential projects will require financing not only for mining infrastructure but also for chemical separation facilities, energy and water supplies, environmental management systems and transport logistics. Investors and lenders will also need evidence of reliable feedstock availability and acceptable operating costs. European manufacturers will require these conditions to be demonstrated before incorporating Kazakh materials into long-term procurement arrangements.
EU supply diversification and commercial viability
The proposed cooperation comes as the European Union seeks to diversify strategic mineral supplies and reduce exposure to concentrated global refining and processing capacity, particularly in China.
Kazakhstan brings geological potential, an established mining industry and existing industrial infrastructure, while Belgium could contribute specialised processing technology and links to European manufacturing markets. The country’s potential to supply 21 EU-listed critical raw materials encompasses existing production, prospective resources and projects at different stages of development. It does not represent immediately available processing capacity across all these materials.
The commercial outcome will depend on whether technology cooperation and laboratory testing lead to funded industrial projects with demonstrated recovery rates, competitive production costs and committed European buyers.
