Satbayev University
Published on 21 September 2026
Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on industrial cooperation in rare metals during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to South Korea and the Kazakhstan-Korea Business Summit in Seoul.
The partnership brings together KORAM, the Korea National Institute of Rare Metals of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), and the Institute of Metallurgy and Beneficiation at Satbayev University as coordinating organizations.
“We seek to develop technologies that transform Kazakhstan’s resource potential into advanced processing capabilities, innovative materials, and new industrial expertise. This is precisely the role of a modern technical university: connecting science, industry, and international technology partnerships,” said Satbayev University Rector Meiram Begentayev.
A distinctive feature of the memorandum is the participation of major industrial companies from both countries. The Kazakh partners include Tau-Ken Samruk, Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), Kazzinc, Ulba Metallurgical Plant, Kazakhmys, Zhezkazganredmet, Tau-Ken Altyn, Phoenix Mining, and the Central Asian Institute for Environmental Research (CAIER). The Korean side is represented by 19 industrial companies, including Korea Zinc, LS MnM, TaeguTec, SeAH Changwon Integrated Special Steel, and COSMO AM&T.
The cornerstone of the partnership will be the Kazakhstan-Korea Rare Metals Centre, which is being established in Almaty. The Centre will serve as a long-term platform for joint research, technology development and testing, rare metals processing and recycling, technology transfer, and the commercialization of scientific developments. The memorandum also covers investment cooperation, specialist training, and the development of joint industrial projects.
The initiative will help Kazakh companies explore advanced Korean processing technologies and expand the production of higher-value-added materials domestically, while creating new opportunities for Korean companies to cooperate with Kazakhstan’s mining and processing industries.
In July 2026, KITECH and KORAM specialists visited the Institute of Metallurgy and Beneficiation at Satbayev University to develop the technological concept and equipment requirements for the future Centre together with Kazakh scientists and engineers.
By combining Satbayev University’s scientific expertise, Korean technological capabilities, and the industrial resources of both countries, the Centre aims to advance innovative solutions for the electronics, battery, energy, and advanced materials sectors and support the development of Kazakhstan’s rare metals industry.
