Metals-rich Kazakhstan seeks niche in battery supply chain

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Reuters or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key player in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain, aiming to boost output of critical metals like lithium, manganese, and cobalt
• The country has already started processing manganese sulphate and aims to capture 10% of the global market for this battery material
• Kazakhstan has signed deals with the EU and UK to supply these essential minerals, leveraging its vast reserves to meet rising demand

🔭 The context: Kazakhstan holds deposits of 90% of the elements in the periodic table and is a significant exporter of ferroalloys, gold, and copper
• With global tensions rising due to Russia's potential export curbs and China's control over rare earths, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a reliable alternative for critical battery materials
• Exploration efforts are accelerating, with 487 new licences issued in 2024 alone, up from 397 last year

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Kazakhstan’s push into the EV battery supply chain supports the global energy transition by securing a stable source of critical minerals needed for electric vehicles
• This helps diversify supply chains and reduces reliance on countries like China and Russia, ensuring a steady flow of resources for sustainable technologies

⏭️ What's next: Kazakhstan plans to expand its processing capabilities for battery-grade metals like lithium iron phosphate and continue issuing exploration licences to attract investment
• The country will also explore its untapped lithium deposits to strengthen its position in the global battery market

💬 One quote: "Building scalable processing of battery-grade metals is something we want to expand," said Kanat Sharlapayev, Kazakhstan’s industry minister.

📈 One stat: Kazakhstan aims to capture 10% of the global market for manganese sulphate, a key material for EV batteries

Click for more news covering the latest on battery tech