At a Government session, Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Olzhas Saparbekov noted that the mining and metallurgical complex (MMC) holds an important place in the national economy. The MMC accounts for 8% of Kazakhstan’s GDP, with total production exceeding KZT 14 trillion, and around 224,000 people employed in the sector.

In 2024, more than KZT 1.7 trillion was invested in the industry, and labor productivity increased by 9.4%, reaching $102,000 per employee.

In the mining sector, metal ores account for 20%, and in the manufacturing industry, metallurgy represents 40%. Last year, metal ore extraction rose by 7.8%, and metal production increased by 6.9%. The first half of the current year continues to show positive trends in both extraction and production.

Particular attention is being paid to further processing of base metals, development of related industries, and production of higher value-added goods. This year, copper processing is expected to double, aluminum by 1.5 times, lead by 2.3 times, and zinc by 11%.

Measures to supply domestic producers with base metals help keep operating enterprises that manufacture mid- and high-value-added products running. Production of wire rod, cable and conductor products, batteries, window profiles, furniture fittings, and other goods is increasing. New projects have also been launched for the production of bimetal heating radiators with a capacity of 15 million sections, industrial batteries with a capacity of 240,000 units, and brass products with a capacity of 1,000 tons.

To ensure raw materials for the steel industry from existing scrap metal resources, efforts have led to increased production volumes and the commissioning of new capacities. Over the past five years, steel production capacity has grown from 5 to 7.5 million tons. Five plants were launched, totaling KZT 52 billion, for the production of construction rebar, channels, I-beams, and angles. This year, 190 industrial projects are planned for launch totaling KZT 1.6 trillion, creating about 23,000 permanent jobs. Of these, 28 projects in the mining and metallurgical industry amount to KZT 444 billion and will create 6,500 jobs, including:

• a straight-seam pipe and aluminum radiator project in Karaganda Region;

• an aluminum profile manufacturing project in Turkistan Region;

• an aluminum products project in Akmola Region;

• a ferroalloy project in Pavlodar Region;

• a cathode copper production project in Zhambyl Region.

To enhance efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance, enterprises are actively modernizing production processes and planning to launch new facilities that meet international standards.

At the same time, significant efforts are underway to improve efficiency, industrial safety, and labor productivity through the implementation of digital solutions. Key focus areas include the deployment of digital factory twins, industrial robots, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

The measures being taken for the development of the mining and metallurgical industry are expected to yield tangible results in the medium term. With the commissioning of major new deposits such as Aidarly, Koksay, and Benkala, copper ore extraction will double to 300 million tons. Iron ore extraction will increase by 40% to 52 million tons due to expanded internal processing by Qarmet JSC and the launch of hot-briquetted iron (HBI) production projects. This will, in turn, lead to growth in:

• copper output from 500,000 tons to 1.2 million tons;

• HBI output to 5 million tons;

• steel output from 4.1 million to 13 million tons.

Free access to base metals provides domestic enterprises in related industries with a competitive advantage. According to projections, by 2030 a significant share of produced metals will be processed domestically into high-value-added products. Copper processing is expected to reach 91,000 tons, aluminum 163,000 tons, and lead 81,000 tons.

#Government session #Industry #Manufacturing industry #Ministry of Industry and Construction

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