Tokayev: Nuclear Power and Critical Minerals Shape Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has outlined the strategic importance of nuclear energy and critical minerals for Kazakhstan’s long-term development.

The president said that the plans to build several nuclear power plants carry both practical and symbolic meaning, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

President Tokayev called it a correction of a historical paradox, noting that Kazakhstan is a global leader in uranium production yet has never built a nuclear power plant of its own.

“Constructing nuclear power plants is not only about prestige. It will have a long-term impact on human capital development,” President Tokayev said, stressing that these projects will help train a new generation of highly skilled technical specialists, reshaping the country’s state policy and economic foundations.

The president also underscored the growing global demand for rare earth and critical minerals, calling the sector a new window of opportunity for Kazakhstan. Demand for such materials, he said, is expected to double within five years, positioning Kazakhstan to become one of the world’s leading reserve holders.

To strengthen its position, Kazakhstan is expanding cooperation with major global players, including the US, China, Russia, South Korea, Japan, and several EU member states.

President Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan’s technological transformation is impossible without a reliable energy base. “Supercomputers, data centers, and automated industrial complexes require enormous amounts of electricity. This is the reality of the new technological paradigm,” he said.

He also highlighted the rising demand for qualified technical professionals, noting that modern energy projects are reshaping the labor market. Citing the head of NVIDIA, President Tokayev said skilled technical workers could soon join the ranks of high earners worldwide.

Earlier, President Tokayev said Kazakhstan aims to make a technological leap and join the ranks of digital powers, with artificial intelligence set to play a central role in the country’s future development.