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ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched construction of a $1.8 billion copper smelter in Aktogai, the Abai Region, with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons of cathode copper, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced on Oct. 20.
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Speaking at the launch ceremony via video link, Tokayev described the project as a major industrial initiative expected to strengthen Kazakhstan’s metallurgical sector, increase domestic processing and create more than 1,000 jobs.
The plant is being developed by KAZ Minerals Group, with Chinese company NFC serving as its engineering partner. The first copper cathode is scheduled to be produced in 2030.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev launches construction of the $1.8 billion Aktogai copper smelter in Abai Region via video link on Oct. 20. Photo credit: Akorda.
“The capacity of the new enterprise will reach 300,000 tons of cathode copper per year. This will fully meet the needs of the domestic market. After the plant begins operations, Kazakhstan will enter the world’s top 10 producers of high-quality refined copper,” Tokayev said.
The facility will also produce metallic gold, silver and sulfuric acid. It is designed to cover the full production cycle, from ore extraction and processing to finished metal production, using its own copper concentrate as a raw material.
Tokayev said the project reflects Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to develop its mining and metallurgical industry and make more effective use of the country’s natural resources.
“Natural resources located beneath the ground belong to the people,” he said, adding that industrial projects should primarily serve the interests of Kazakhstan and its citizens.
Kazakhstan has more than 9,500 mineral deposits, extracts nearly 160 million tons of ore annually and produces around 3.5 million tons of copper concentrate, according to the figures cited by Tokayev. He also highlighted growth in the country’s manufacturing sector, whose output reached $60 billion last year. Over the past three years, 540 industrial projects have been implemented across Kazakhstan, creating approximately 50,000 permanent jobs, he said.
The new smelter is expected to increase the value added within Kazakhstan by processing domestically produced copper concentrate into refined metal rather than relying solely on the extraction and sale of raw materials.
Focus on technology and workplace safety
Tokayev called on the project’s shareholders and contractors to prioritize workplace safety, digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence in industrial operations.
“Applying advanced solutions contributes to higher productivity, improved workplace safety and effective prevention of industrial injuries,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining construction quality and meeting established deadlines, while thanking Kazakh specialists and Chinese partners involved in the project. Tokayev called on the government and local authorities to maintain close communication with workers and address their legitimate social needs.
The Aktogai copper smelter is expected to strengthen Kazakhstan’s domestic metallurgical capacity and support the country’s ambitions to expand industrial production and move toward higher-value processing.
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