Kazakhstan has prohibited a US company from exporting tungsten and related byproducts as part of a strategy to boost domestic processing in the mining sector.

Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev held talks with CEO of Cove Kaz Capital Group LLC Dominic Heaton to discuss cooperation in mining and resource development, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The decision affects Cove Kaz Capital Group, which signed an agreement in November 2025 with Tau-Ken Samruk to develop the Severniy Katpar deposit and Upper Kairakty deposit.

The project envisages investment of $1.1 billion to build two processing plants and one metallurgical facility. However, a key strategic condition of the deal is a ban on exporting raw materials and semi-finished products.

Officials say production will focus exclusively on deep processing within Kazakhstan, reflecting the country’s broader effort to keep more value from its mineral resources at home.