Kazakhstan plans to double its copper ore production by 2030 through the development of three major new deposits, significantly boosting the country’s mining and metals sector.

Kazakhstan is set to transform its mining industry by 2030 with an ambitious plan to double copper ore production, according to a government announcement reported by the Kazinform news agency on Tuesday.

Speaking during a government meeting, Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Olzhas Saparbekov revealed that three major deposits — Aidarly, Koksay and Benkala — will be developed to support the expansion. These sites are expected to increase the country’s copper ore reserves by 300 million tons.

The initiative will allow Kazakhstan to raise its annual copper output from 500,000 tons to 1.2 million tons, placing it among the top global producers of the metal, which is critical for renewable energy, electronics and infrastructure.

In addition to copper, the country is also targeting a 40% increase in iron ore production, aiming for 52 million tons annually. This will be supported by enhanced domestic processing and new facilities to produce hot briquetted iron (HBI), a value-added product used in steelmaking.

Kazakhstan plans to raise HBI output to 5 million tons per year, while steel production is projected to climb from 4.1 million to 13 million tons, reinforcing the government’s broader strategy to strengthen industrial capacity and diversify its export base.

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