Format: Presentations

Mining has moved to the centre of geopolitical competition, as critical minerals underpin clean energy, defence and digital technologies. Kazakhstan sits at a strategic crossroads in this new landscape: a major uranium and copper producer with emerging rare earths potential, positioned between Russia, China and Western markets. This session examines how control over resources, refining and midstream processing is reshaping alliances, trade routes and sanctions. Where Kazakhstan fits in evolving supply chains, how partners seek to diversify away from single suppliers, and what this means for the country’s foreign policy and development path.

Format: Panel with high-level officials and Industry ambassadors  

Kazakhstan is navigating a dual-track regulatory shift. While aggressively courting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for critical minerals, highlighted by a transition from a Mineral Extraction Tax (MET) to a royalty-based model by 2026–2027-the state is simultaneously tightening its grip on its natural resources. New legislative amendments under the 2026 Tax Code will formalise “strategic investor” statuses and link fiscal terms to strict processing obligations. This session examines how Kazakhstan can reconcile rising resource nationalism with the need for global capital, comparing its strategy against other major mining jurisdictions to find a sustainable path for long-term development.

Format: Panel with high-level officials and Industry ambassadors

Kazakhstan pursues foreign direct investment in critical minerals while strengthening state control over its natural resources. The 2026 Tax Code amendments establish “strategic investor” categories with tax incentives tied to mandatory local processing requirements, potentially undermining prior reforms aimed at improving business and investment environment. Recent multi-billion-dollar deals with China highlight escalating competition and a shift toward midstream processing. This panel will examine how the UK, USA, and EU can navigate the tightening regulatory landscape while leveraging Kazakhstan’s established processing advantage to turn high-level diplomacy into technology transfers and offtake agreements to build resilient supply partnerships amid China competition.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion with high-level officials and Industry Champions

Kazakhstan ranks sixth globally in total mineral reserves, hosting some 5,000 deposits. The country’s strategic value lies not only in the volume of its resources but in the diversity of its portfolio. Kazakhstan is moving swiftly into midstream mineral processing, aiming to maximise returns from its gold, copper, tungsten and rare earth reserves. This shift merges industrial policy with capital strategy, as Chinese mega‑projects deliver scale while Western investors introduce high‑tech, ESG‑aligned processing like POX and green-hydrogen-ready HBI. The session explores how Kazakhstan can attract financing, stabilise commodity-linked revenues, and build resilience amid volatile global metals markets. Can its energy and water systems sustain this leap? Is the Middle Corridor ready for high‑value exports? How will fiscal policy and investor confidence shape Kazakhstan’s next frontier in value‑added metals?

Format: Presentations and panel discussion organised in partnership with Astana International Financial Centre 

Kazakhstan is tackling a chronic “exploration funding gap” that prevents its vast mineral wealth from being realised, often leaving junior miners to rely on speculative trading rather than active drilling. To shift the focus toward industrial development, the Kazakhstan Government, Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) are introducing a suite of financial incentives, including 100% exploration tax deductions, Royalty-based financial instruments and a $1 billion loan program (2025–2030) for critical materials projects. By layering these incentives with state-backed guarantees and “green financing” for ESG-compliant ventures, these initiatives aim to de-risk early-stage operations and secure the institutional capital necessary to turn geological potential into economic reality.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion 

The declaration of 2026 as the “Year of AI” signals that digitalisation in Kazakhstan has moved beyond simple administrative efficiency to become a cornerstone of state power and economic competitiveness. In the mining sector, the integration of AI into geological data management is expected to deliver a “single source of truth” for the entire subsoil use lifecycle. The transition to the “QazTech” platform, which will host all quasi-public sector information systems, is a bold move to eliminate fragmentation and redundant spending. For subsoil users, this means that data on mineral titles, environmental permits, and water quotas will eventually be integrated into a unified digital infrastructure. The “Smart Cargo” and “Smart Customs” systems for logistics and customs, will complement these efforts by doubling the volume of cargo transit through the country. This tech-focused session will showcase case studies of AI deployment in Kazakh mines and the productivity gains realised from “Industry 4.0” adoption.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion organised in partnership with Kazakhstan Chamber of Mines

Kazakhstan’s geological relevance is defined by its vast and diverse mineral wealth. The country ranks sixth globally in total mineral reserves, hosting some 5,000 deposits.

The trajectory of the Kazakhstan mining industry over the next three to five years will be defined by its ability to execute the “New Era” strategy. Success requires balancing the state’s desire for higher domestic value addition with the practical needs of international investors. Join explorers leading the hunt for Kazakhstan’s next Tier-1 deposits. Mining companies discuss gold, copper, and critical mineral milestones as discovery accelerates across a study area reaching 2.2 million square kilometres. For the global market, Kazakhstan remains a “Strategic Asset Class”- a credible, resource-rich alternative to higher-risk jurisdictions, provided it can successfully navigate its current regulatory and digital evolution.

Format: Presentations and panel discussion organised in partnership with IMC Montan 

Kazakhstan’s mining sector has moved beyond the conceptual phase of ESG into a period of disciplined execution. Driven by the stringent new Environmental Code, the industry is grappling with the transition from voluntary reporting to mandatory compliance. The Kazakh government’s “Waste Management Concept 2026–2030″ and the national target for carbon neutrality by 2060 have introduced rigorous new standards for low-waste technologies and climate adaptation. ” This session deconstructs how mining majors are integrating international practices to mitigate financial risks, manage complex land reclamation liabilities, and foster a transparent dialogue with stakeholders amidst a global race for critical minerals.