Trade and Investment Director Beth McKendrick of the British Embassy in Kazakhstan spoke about how, at present, five British companies are researching Kazakhstan's mineral deposits.
According to MIA "Kazinform", she recalled that in March 2023, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic partnership in the field of critical minerals, and a year later, a Roadmap for cooperation in this area.
McKendrick reported that under the agreement, the UK is actively cooperating with the company Kazakh Invest. Furthermore, the British Geological Survey and the National Geological Survey of Kazakhstan are working jointly on a project to digitise geological data. It is expected that this will simplify access to relevant information for foreign investors.
McKendrick also spoke about plans to sign agreements between Kazakhstani universities and leading educational institutions in the UK to exchange experience.
"We aim to raise the profile of Kazakhstan on the world stage and make the process of geological exploration more accessible for young mining companies", Beth McKendrick emphasised.
According to her, opening new mines in Kazakhstan could take decades. She noted that the UK views Kazakhstan as a strategic partner in the development of important minerals.
McKendrick also highlighted Kazakhstan's importance in securing global supplies of tungsten, uranium, palladium, copper, nickel and cobalt, which are used in batteries for electric vehicles and other products.