Kazakhstan to Invest Around $174 Million in Non-Ferrous Metallurgy Projects in 2026

Kazakhstan plans to launch eight projects in the non-ferrous metallurgy sector in 2026, with total investments of around $174 million, the Ministry of Industry and Construction has said. According to the ministry, the sector remains one of the key pillars of the national economy, supported by a substantial resource base that includes deposits of copper, zinc, nickel, lead, aluminum, and precious metals. “In 2026, eight projects are expected to be launched with approximately $173.8 million in investments and the creation of more than 1,500 permanent jobs,” the statement said. The projects include the production of cathode copper, copper wire rod, cable products, aluminum powder, and cast rods made of unalloyed aluminum. One project has already been commissioned, a cathode copper production facility in the Karaganda region. The project involved investments of about $17.3 million and created 512 jobs. “In addition, six projects are currently under implementation, including the production of dore alloy, aluminum billets, and profiles. Their launch is expected in 2027–2028, with total investments exceeding $1.1 billion,” the ministry said. According to the ministry, these projects will create more than 800 jobs, including around 140 in rural areas. Additionally, a further 34 projects are at the planning stage, focusing on the production of dore gold and silver, nickel matte, aluminum, tungsten, lead, and zinc. Total investments in these projects are estimated at $14.9 billion, with the potential to create around 17,100 jobs. The largest projects are planned for implementation in the Kostanay, Pavlodar, Karaganda, and Abai regions. Overall, total investments across 48 current and prospective projects amount to approximately $16.2 billion, with plans to create around 19,400 jobs, a significant share of which will be in rural areas. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan’s reserves of rare earth metals may have exceeded previous projections following new geological surveys.

Chinese Company to Invest Over $12 Billion in Kazakhstan’s Non-Ferrous Metals Sector

China’s East Hope Group (EHG), a global leader in aluminum and silicon production, plans to invest more than $12 billion in a large-scale non-ferrous metals production and processing project in Kazakhstan. The project was discussed last week during a meeting between Yerzhan Yelekeyev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest, and Changjun Meng, General Director of EHG. According to Kazakh Invest, EHG plans to build a large industrial park in Kazakhstan, incorporating advanced technologies in non-ferrous metallurgy. The facility will focus on deep metal processing and the production of finished goods for export to the European Union, Central Asia, and China. The project is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs at various stages of implementation. According to Changjun Meng, EHG has already registered a subsidiary in Kazakhstan, which will serve as the project's main operational center. The company has completed preliminary geodetic and hydrogeological studies of land plots across several Kazakh regions and plans to begin a detailed site assessment in the near future. Yelekeyev pledged comprehensive government support for the investment project, emphasizing its significance for Kazakhstan’s industrial sector. "Attracting major strategic investors like East Hope Group opens new opportunities for Kazakhstan," Yelekeyev stated. "We see this project not only as a large investment but also as a way to introduce advanced technologies, create new jobs, and localize production. It will strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global non-ferrous metals supply chain and significantly expand finished product exports." EHG has expressed its readiness to sign an investment framework agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Construction, marking a significant step forward in the project’s development.