ALMATY, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan discovered its largest deposit of rare earth metals, containing around one million tonnes of the elements that are seen as vital for the future economy, the Central Asian country said on Wednesday.
Rare earths comprise 17 raw materials that are essential for the green energy transition and highly sought by the likes of China, Russia, the United States and Europe.
"As of today, this is the largest rare earths deposit" in Kazakhstan, a spokesperson for the industry ministry said.
The deposit — in central Kazakhstan's Karaganda region — contains cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium, they said.
The announcement of the find comes on the eve of the first EU-Central Asia summit, kicking off in Uzbekistan.
The EU, Russia, China and Türkiye are among those vying for influence in the resource-rich region.
"This could put Kazakhstan among the world's top countries with rare earth deposits in the future," the ministry added.
The EU, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, is interested in rare metals and natural resources in the region. — AFP
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