Kazakhstan and China to Build Copper Smelter
Kazakhstan and China Sign Agreement to Build Copper Smelter
During a recent meeting between Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Chairman of China Nonferrous Metal Mining Xi Zhengping, an agreement was signed to construct a smelter with a capacity of 300,000 tons of copper per year. This trilateral agreement was signed between KAZ Minerals Smelting LLP, China Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. (NFC), and NFC Kazakhstan LLP.
The plant will be located near the village of Aktogai in the Abai Region and is set to become a key player in the global copper industry. With a preliminary cost of $1.5 billion, the construction of the smelter is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2028.
This high-tech facility is aimed at producing high-value-added products while adhering to international environmental standards. It will help meet the domestic market demand for copper processing and will also produce refined gold, silver, and sulfuric acid.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the importance of this project in driving sustainable economic growth in Kazakhstan. The new copper smelter will not only boost the processing of copper raw materials in the country but also make a significant contribution to the overall economy.
The construction of this smelter signifies a strong partnership between Kazakhstan and China in the mining and metallurgy sector, further strengthening their economic ties.
