Kyrgyzstan Unveils 22 Critical Minerals to Boost Economic Growth

Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Subsoil Use Alisher Kurmanaliev has announced that Kyrgyzstan is home to 22 identified critical minerals.

Kurmanaliev made these remarks during the “Dialogue on the Extractive Industry: Investment, Transparency, Development” forum, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Kurmanaliev revealed that the government is currently developing a comprehensive Strategy for the Development of Critical Minerals, in accordance with a presidential decree issued on January 22, 2024. The decree supports a national initiative aimed at boosting the extraction of polymetals and rare earth elements to stimulate the country’s economic growth.

While 22 critical minerals have been officially recognized, Kurmanaliev noted that this list is expected to grow. The minerals currently identified include aluminum, baryte, beryllium, boron, vanadium, tungsten, graphite, lithium, copper, arsenic, tin, rare earth elements (REE), mercury, lead, silver, antimony, titanium, thorium, uranium, fluorite, zinc, and zirconium.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Natural Resources emphasized that defining this list is strategically vital for ensuring resource security, attracting foreign investment, and promoting the development of processing industries within Kyrgyzstan. The forthcoming strategy will outline priorities for geological exploration, advocate for sustainable and efficient subsoil use, and support the integration of these critical minerals into the nation’s broader economic framework.