Tokayev urges Kazakhstan to seize 'unique' critical materials opportunityPresident Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has ordered the government to systematically develop Kazakhstan's critical materials sector, including rare and rare-earth metals, the presidential press service reported.The directives came Thursday after a Security Council meeting on the sector.Tokayev called for regulatory improvements, expanded exploration and processing, integration of technogenic mineral formations into economic circulation, stronger laboratory and personnel capacity and removal of administrative hurdles.He noted Kazakhstan's leading resource and production potential in Central Asia and stressed the need to leverage it."The current situation in the world creates favorable, one might say unique, conditions for those who possess reserves," Tokayev was quoted as saying.Global competition for critical materials, vital for high-tech industries, is intensifying, he said, urging Kazakhstan to develop domestic expertise and production chains.Government officials presented reports on the industry's current state, resource development prospects, processing expansion and existing barriers.More than 100 rare and rare-earth element deposits have been identified in Kazakhstan, according to official data. The country produces 19 of 34 rare-earth elements critical to the economy, including beryllium, tantalum, niobium and rhenium – metals used in electronics, defense, energy and telecommunications. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX