First-Ever Tungsten Production Launched in Kazakhstan

On November 1, Kazakhstan’s first tungsten processing plant was opened in the Almaty region. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Construction, this will strengthen the country's position in the global rare earth metals market. The $300 million project will create up to 1,000 local jobs and, when fully operational, will process 3.3 million tons of ore annually, producing 65% tungsten concentrate. Jiaxin International Resources Investment Ltd. is implementing the project, which was joined by Jiangxi Copper Corporation, China Railway Construction Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Company, and Ever Trillion International Singapore PTE LTD. Further plans include constructing a $150 million deep processing facility to increase tungsten content to 88.5% and produce high-purity tungsten carbide. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals and is alloyed with other metals to strengthen them. Tungsten and its alloys are used in many high-temperature applications, such as arc-welding electrodes and heating elements in high-temperature furnaces. Tungsten carbide is tough and important to the metal-working, mining, and petroleum industries. Speaking at the 36th meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council in Astana on October 31, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan has a unique mineral resource base and has attracted more than $1 billion of private investment in geological exploration over the past six years.

U.S. Sanctions Uzbek Companies Supplying Russia with Equipment

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned 275 individuals and entities involved in supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment that it desperately needs to support its war machine. The Uzbek companies Uzstanex and The Elite Investment Group are among the sanctioned entities. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo emphasized that the U.S. and its allies are committed to halting the flow of essential tools and technologies that enable Russia to pursue its unlawful war against Ukraine. “As demonstrated by today’s actions, we are unwavering in our resolve to weaken Russia’s military capabilities and to penalize those attempting to circumvent or evade our sanctions and export controls,” Adeyemo stated. Uzstanex is part of the StanexGroup holding. The company sells and adjusts machine tools in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the machine tools purchased by Uzstanex were delivered to Russia through the Chinese company Shanghai Winsun Imp and Exp Co Ltd (Shanghai Winsun), which is why sanctions were imposed against it. The Elite Investment Group is a non-specialized wholesaler. It is noted that from mid-March to May 2024, using GUCLU GLOBAL as a carrier agent, the company delivered approximately $190,000 worth of high-priority goods, including electrical transformers, to companies in Russia, including the GS Group.