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Kazakhstan enters rare earths, minerals race as China alternative

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as an alternative to China in the global rare-earth minerals market. The Central Asian nation possesses significant mineral deposits and mining expertise, though challenges remain in processing these resources. Currently, China dominates the sector, controlling 70% of global rare-earth production and 90% of processing and refining.

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Central Asian country has deposits and mining expertise, but processing remains difficult

China accounts for 70% of the world's rare-earth production and controls 90% of the processing and refining. (Nikkei montage/source photos by Reuters)

JOE LUC BARNES

June 19, 2026 12:22 JST

LONDON -- In the Hilton Astana last week, Kazakhstan presented itself as one answer to a problem worrying governments from Washington to Tokyo: how to loosen China's grip on rare-earth minerals used in technologies that power the modern world.

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Source document: China's dominance in rare-earth production

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Kazakhstan enters rare earths, minerals race as China alternative

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Kazakhstan's potential role in the rare-earth minerals market without overtly favoring any political perspective. It highlights both opportunities and challenges without using biased language or selectively emphasizing certain viewpoints.

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