UK signs strategic critical minerals deal with Kazakhstan to reduce China dependence

As Western powers intensify efforts to decouple global supply chains from Chinese dominance, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to unveil a landmark critical minerals agreement with Kazakhstan.

The Foreign Secretary will host the foreign ministers of five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—at London’s historic Lancaster House for a high-level diplomatic summit.

Cooper will announce the critical minerals accord alongside Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Yerlan Kosherbayev. The announcement is expected to be part of a broader suite of bilateral agreements spanning carbon capture initiatives and higher education partnerships with other regional states.

In a statement to POLITICO, Cooper underscored the strategic importance of the mission:

“Central Asia is a vital region with immense potential to accelerate economic growth. These agreements benefit British businesses, bolster economic security, and send a clear signal of the United Kingdom’s support for the independence of Central Asian states.”

The new action plan is designed to catalyze British investment in Kazakhstan’s critical mineral sector, effectively diversifying the United Kingdom’s supply chains.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed by Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Industry, Olzhas Saparbekov, and the UK Minister of State for Trade, Chris Bryant.

In a recently published op-ed, Kosherbayev noted the shifting global landscape: “Global demand for critical raw materials is surging, driven by clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and defense industries.”

The Minister highlighted that Kazakhstan already produces 22 of the 36 minerals identified in the United Kingdom’s Critical Minerals Strategy, published last November. This portfolio includes essential materials such as uranium, titanium, silicon, and rhenium.

Kazakhstan currently stands as a global titan in the critical minerals market, accounting for more than 40% of the world’s uranium production and maintaining a leading position in titanium output. Furthermore, the nation consistently ranks among the top ten global exporters of copper and zinc.

Earlier this month, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Seema Malhotra visited Washington for a pivotal summit involving 50 nations. The discussions focused on diversifying critical mineral supply chains to mitigate over-reliance on China.

London formalized its Critical Minerals Strategy last November, setting an ambitious target to ensure that by 2035, no more than 60% of the supply for any single critical mineral originates from a single country.

To further bolster the economic security and sovereignty of the Central Asian republics, Cooper will also announce a new educational cooperation agreement with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This initiative includes the establishment of a second Coventry University campus in Almaty, Kazakhstan, alongside a new artificial intelligence center at the university’s Astana campus.

Additionally, the Foreign Secretary will detail a partnership between the British startup Valor Carbon and the Government of Kyrgyzstan to develop carbon capture projects. This includes a £100 million agreement dedicated to the reforestation of 25,000 hectares.