Will Kazakhstan gain market share in battery materials?

The country wants to gain market share in battery materials such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel and graphite amid rising demand for the materials, Sharlapaev said. Kazakhstan already mines manganese, but last year it launched processing of manganese sulphate and aims to eventually capture 10% of the global market for the battery material.

Does Kazakhstan mine manganese sulphate?

Kazakhstan already mines manganese, but last year it launched processing of manganese sulphate and aims to eventually capture 10% of the global market for the battery material. It also supplies phosphates for fertilisers and aims to process material needed for LFP (lithium ferro phosphate) batteries that are growing in popularity, he added.

How many mining licences have been issued in Kazakhstan this year?

This has hiked the number of issued licences so far this year to 487 compared to 397 for all of 2023, according to data from the ministry. Major mining companies involved in exploration in Kazakhstan include BHP (BHP.AX), Rio Tinto (RIO.L), First Quantum Minerals (FM.TO), Fortescue (FMG.AX) and Teck Resources (TECKb.TO).

Why is Kazakhstan launching new EV exploration licences?

Kazakhstan aims to boost output of metals needed for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and is issuing hundreds of new exploration licences to attract fresh investment in the sector, the country's industry minister told Reuters.

Is Kazakhstan a major supplier of uranium & titanium?

Kazakhstan is a major global supplier of both uranium and titanium. It also holds 2% of world nickel reserves, but has, for now, a negligible share in its global output. The country has also yet to tap its deposits of lithium, another key metal, but exploration is underway.

Which mining companies are exploring in Kazakhstan?

Major mining companies involved in exploration in Kazakhstan include BHP (BHP.AX), Rio Tinto (RIO.L), First Quantum Minerals (FM.TO), Fortescue (FMG.AX) and Teck Resources (TECKb.TO). The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said last month it had bought a stake in a firm exploring for graphite in Kazakhstan.