Kazakhstan, Aurubis discuss copper recycling investment projects

KAZAKHSTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Fritz Vahrenholt, chairman of the supervisory board of Aurubis AG, on 30 September 2026 in Munich to discuss joint investment projects in copper processing and recycling in Kazakhstan.

The issues were discussed during a meeting held as part of Tokayev’s official visit to Germany, which began on 28 September. 

The sides discussed prospects for implementing joint investment projects in Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical complex. 

Particular attention was paid to cooperation between Kazakhstan’s national company Tau-Ken Samruk and Aurubis in processing copper scrap and technogenic mineral formations in Kazakhstan. 

The sides considered the possibility of developing a joint action plan to implement promising projects in this area.

President Prioritises Deeper Processing Over Raw Material Exports

Tokayev noted that Germany is one of Kazakhstan’s key economic and technological partners in Europe. 

He emphasised that one of the priorities for Kazakhstan’s industrial sector is to move from a raw-material model toward deeper metal processing, the introduction of advanced technologies and the production of higher value-added products. 

According to the Akorda press service, priority areas of cooperation include the comprehensive processing of complex copper-bearing raw materials, the extraction of associated metals, the development of recycling, as well as the localisation of downstream production.

Recycling Supports Industrial Value Chain Development

The focus on copper scrap processing and technogenic mineral formations reflects growing interest in recovering metals from secondary sources, reducing reliance on primary ore extraction while extending the productive life of existing mining waste. 

For Kazakhstan, developing recycling capacity creates opportunities to capture additional value domestically rather than exporting unprocessed material. 

Copper recovered from scrap and industrial residues feeds into manufacturing supply chains, including electrical equipment, construction materials and packaging machinery components.

Downstream Localisation Aligns With Industrial Policy Goals

The discussions align with Kazakhstan’s broader industrial policy objectives, which prioritise moving up the value chain across its mining and metallurgical sectors. 

Localising downstream production would allow the country to supply processed metals to domestic manufacturers and regional export markets, supporting employment and industrial diversification. 

Aurubis, based in Germany, is one of the world’s largest copper producers and a significant player in metals recycling, giving the company technical expertise relevant to Kazakhstan’s processing ambitions. 

The meeting highlights continued investment interest from German industrial firms in Central Asian resource sectors, with recycling and value-added processing emerging as priority areas for partnership.

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