Kazakhstan Enters the Strategic Metals Arena

Highlights

• Kazakhstan will launch gallium and refined antimony production in 2026, with ERG supplying 15 metric tons of gallium annually to Mitsubishi Corporation under a multi-year offtake agreement signed during President Tokayev's Japan visit.
• The gallium deal supports Japan's critical mineral diversification strategy following China's 2023 export controls, positioning Kazakhstan as an alternative supplier for semiconductors used in 5G, defense, and power electronics.
• While the 15-ton gallium output signals Central Asia's entry into strategic rare metals markets, officials provided no production capacity details for antimony or clarity on semiconductor manufacturing integration.

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Kazakhstan plans to expand its rare metals sector in 2026 by launching new production lines for gallium and refined antimony, according to Industry and Construction Minister Ersayin Nagaspayev (opens in a new tab). The remarks were delivered during a government meeting and reported by AnadoluAgency on February 17, 2026.

Gallium output will be supplied under a multi-year offtake agreement between Eurasian Resources Group ( (opens in a new tab)ERG) and Mitsubishi Corporation (opens in a new tab). The deal was signed during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s December 2025 visit to Japan. According to Kyodo News, the contract covers approximately 15 metric tons of gallium per year starting in 2026.

While 15 tons may appear modest, gallium is not traded in bulk like iron ore or copper. It is a specialty metal used primarily in gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors—critical for radar systems,5G infrastructure, power electronics, LEDs, and advanced defenseapplications.

What Is Firmly Grounded

Kazakhstan has an established metallurgical base. ERG operates large alumina and ferroalloy assets, and gallium is typically recovered as a byproduct of bauxite and alumina refining—capabilities that exist within ERG’s portfolio.

The Mitsubishi offtake is strategically meaningful. Japan has actively sought to diversify critical mineral supply chains following China’s 2023 export controls on gallium and germanium. Securing even moderate volumes from Kazakhstan supports Tokyo’s broader resource security strategy.

Where OptimismOutpaces Detail

Official statements emphasize economic diversification and high-tech industrial growth. However, producing gallium metal does not automatically translate into semiconductor manufacturing capacity. Ultra-high purity processing, stable feedstock consistency, and integration into compound semiconductor supply chains require additional investment and technical validation.

Similarly, the announcement includes refined antimony production, yet no volumes, cost structure, or export markets were disclosed. Antimony is strategically important for flame retardants, ammunition, and certain battery chemistries—but scale determines impact.

Investors should note the absence of production capacity metrics beyond gallium’s reported 15 tons per year.

The Geopolitical Subtext

China has historically dominated globalgallium refining and controls a substantial share of antimony supply chains. Kazakhstan’s move positions Central Asia as a potential alternative node in the evolving rare metals landscape.

In the broader rare earth and critical minerals ecosystem, this development reflects a clear trend: mid-tier resource nations are stepping into strategic niches left vulnerable by geopolitical concentration. The volumes are limited. The signal is not.

Sources: Anadolu Agency (Feb. 17, 2026); Kyodo News (Feb. 2026).