In June 2026, Liubov (Liuba) Lukina, Communication and Dissemination Manager of the HEPHAESTUS project, participated in the Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress (AMM 2026) and the Critical Raw Materials field trip organised by EIT RawMaterials and the European Commission.
The mission brought together European and Kazakh stakeholders from industry, research and government to explore opportunities for cooperation in critical raw materials, mining and processing technologies.
For HEPHAESTUS, the visit provided valuable insights into the wider critical raw materials value chains that support Europe’s industrial and energy transition. While the project focuses on decarbonising steel production, secure and sustainable access to raw materials remains an important part of Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
During the congress, Liuba held discussions with representatives from companies including KazZinc, Kazakhmys, KAZ Minerals, ERG, Kazatomprom and Qarmet. One particularly interesting topic was the impact of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on Kazakh producers. Discussions with Qarmet highlighted some of the challenges that companies outside the EU face when adapting to the new regulatory framework and the growing importance of low-carbon production pathways.
As part of the field trip, participants visited several industrial sites across Kazakhstan.
One of the highlights was a visit to Ferro-Alloy Resources, a company developing a large vanadium project in the Kyzylorda region. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the company’s plans and visit its ferro-molybdenum production facility, gaining insight into the processing technologies and value chains associated with critical metals.
The delegation also visited Sary Arka, where an industrial pilot plant is being developed to produce battery-grade nickel products. The project aims to establish the first integrated ore-to-battery-grade nickel production route in Kazakhstan and represents an important step towards developing higher-value downstream processing in the region.
The mission confirmed that Kazakhstan is actively investing in critical raw materials projects and seeking international partnerships to support technological development and industrial growth. At the same time, European stakeholders showed strong interest in exploring cooperation opportunities with Kazakh companies and research organisations.
For HEPHAESTUS, the visit was a valuable opportunity to better understand the broader raw materials landscape surrounding Europe’s green transition. Discussions throughout the week reinforced the importance of combining technological innovation, industrial cooperation and sustainable resource development to build more resilient value chains for the future.
We look forward to following the progress of these projects and continuing the dialogue between European and Kazakh stakeholders in the years ahead.