Almaty, 21 October. A Kazakhstan-Korea Rare Metals Technology Centre has opened in Almaty at Satbayev University's Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation: scientists and engineers from the two countries will develop technologies for deep processing of minerals, rare-metal extraction and new materials, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education said.
The project is run by the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) and the Korea National Institute of Rare Metals (KORAM) with the support of government bodies of both countries. The centre was set up under the Republic of Korea's official development assistance programme, that is, with funds Seoul allocates to support other states. According to the ministry, the centre's main task is to develop the production of high value-added goods in Kazakhstan and strengthen the technological capabilities of industry. Rare and rare-earth metals, the ministry noted, are used in electronics, energy, mechanical engineering and other high-tech industries.
KORAM director Park Kyung-tae explained what the centre offers the Kazakh side: "The new centre will make it possible to introduce Korean technologies for processing and deep purification of rare metals, and to set up the production of materials needed by high-tech industries." In his words, this will open the way for Kazakhstan to make products for the electronics industry, electric-vehicle production and other modern technologies.
Research areas will be chosen together with industry. Satbayev University rector Meiram Begentayev said priorities will be set by the production tasks of industrial partners, while joint tests will help bring developments to the point of implementation. "It is especially important for us that the results of the centre's work find practical application at enterprises," he stressed. The first meeting of the centre's Joint Steering Committee discussed timelines for equipping laboratories, training and upskilling specialists, cooperation with enterprises and joint research. At the opening, a letter of congratulations from Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek was read out; the ceremony was attended by representatives of the Republic of Korea's diplomatic corps, scientific organisations, and mining and metallurgical companies.
What it means: Kazakhstan now has a research platform shared with Korea, where Korean technologies for processing and deep purification of rare metals will be brought to the point of implementation at Kazakh enterprises.
Who benefits: First of all mining and metallurgical companies, which, as the university envisages, will set the centre production tasks and receive ready-made developments. Korean institutes, as the KORAM director said, gain the opportunity to introduce their technologies in Kazakhstan. The cost of the project was not given.
Background: The ministry recalled that during his state visit to the Republic of Korea, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of a full production cycle — from research and extraction of raw materials to deep processing and output of finished products.
List of sources used: Kursiv
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
