Kazakhstan’s Move to Boost Output of Electric Vehicle Battery Metals
By Olzhas Auyezov and Eric Onstad
ALMATY (Reuters) – Kazakhstan is ramping up production of metals crucial for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and is granting numerous exploration licenses to attract new investments in the sector, according to the country’s industry minister in an interview with Reuters. The former Soviet republic is positioning itself as a reliable supplier of essential materials identified by the European Union, especially as Russia threatens export restrictions and China tightens control over rare earths. Kazakhstan has already secured agreements with the EU and Britain for the supply of critical minerals.
“People recognize Kazakhstan’s reliability… We have a long history of supplying markets,” stated industry minister Kanat Sharlapaev. With deposits of 90% of the elements on the periodic table, Kazakhstan is looking to expand its market share in battery materials like lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, and graphite to meet the increasing demand for these resources. The country has already begun processing manganese sulphate and aims to capture 10% of the global market for this battery material. Additionally, Kazakhstan supplies phosphates for fertilizers and is working towards processing materials necessary for LFP (lithium ferro phosphate) batteries, which are gaining popularity.
“Expanding the production of battery grade metals is a priority for us,” said Sharlapaev, a former Citigroup banker.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks about potentially limiting exports of uranium, titanium, nickel, and other commodities in response to Western sanctions have put Kazakhstan, a major global supplier of uranium and titanium, in the spotlight. While Kazakhstan holds 2% of the world’s nickel reserves, its share in global output is currently minimal. The country is also exploring its lithium deposits to further bolster its position in the battery materials market.
To accelerate exploration and development, the government has streamlined the process for obtaining exploration licenses, making it faster and more efficient. This has led to a significant increase in the number of licenses issued this year compared to the previous year. Major mining companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto, First Quantum Minerals, Fortescue, and Teck Resources are actively involved in exploration activities in Kazakhstan.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently acquired a stake in a company exploring for graphite in Kazakhstan. Despite being a member of Russian-led economic and security alliances, Kazakhstan has maintained neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pledged to comply with Western sanctions against Moscow, and is actively engaged in developing alternative cargo transit routes bypassing Russia.