Critical natural materials, investments in their processing and construction of fresh supply chains dominated the Astana Mining & Metallurgy legislature (AMM) 2026, which took place the day after the C5+1 (Central Asia and the US) dialog on elements essential for modern technologies.
This year's 16th edition of AMM brought together representatives of state authorities, mining companies, investors, financial institutions and technology providers. The main subject of the debate was alleged critical materials, i.e. metals essential for energy transformation, battery and semiconductor production, artificial intelligence and defence industry.
Kazakhstan is 1 of the countries with any of the world's largest resources of many strategical minerals, including uncommon earth metals. The authorities in Astana are trying to exploit the increasing interest in global powers in this sector and convince investors that the country can become not only an exporter of ores, but besides a center for their processing and production of components of higher added value, say journalists of the Times of Central Asia portal. The another countries of the region, especially Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, besides conceal the desired wealth in the world.
One of the most crucial events of the first day of the legislature was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia in the area of uncommon earth metals, critical natural materials and mining industry. In addition, the participants of the debates pointed to the importance of the alleged Central Transport Corridor, which is intended to let exports of natural materials from Central Asia to Europe without conventional routes passing through Russia.
AB, PAP
