Kazakhstan agrees on beryllium supply with Rwanda: what the metal is used for
Tengrinews.kz – Kazatomprom will import beryllium from Rwanda, said Nurlan Zhakyupov, Chairman of Samruk-Kazyna.
Today, Rwandan President Paul Kagame arrived in Astana on an official visit. During the visit, Samruk-Kazyna will sign a cooperation agreement with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum & Gas Board, the government agency responsible for the development and exploitation of Rwanda’s mineral resources.
“Rwanda is a country located in the eastern part of Africa, rich in natural resources. It is relatively small, but possesses significant beryllium reserves. Our subsidiary Kazatomprom, which owns the Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP), intends to explore the possibility of importing beryllium from Rwanda to Kazakhstan,” Zhakyupov said at Akorda.
He added that UMP has unique technologies for producing metallic beryllium: the plant processes concentrate into metal with required characteristics.
Beryllium is a critical mineral used in telecommunications, semiconductors, aerospace, and defense industries.
Annually, UMP can process about 1,500 tons of beryllium concentrate containing 8 percent beryllium oxide. The company will purchase the concentrate, which will then be refined into the final metal, Zhakyupov explained.
He did not specify the volume of supplies from Rwanda, noting that this will be decided in a narrower circle, but added that deliveries will begin this year.
Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was presented with Kazatomprom’s new development strategy for 2025–2034, focused on expanding and efficiently using the country’s mineral base. The company received new licenses for uranium exploration in promising areas with estimated resources of about 170,000 tons.
On Wednesday, May 28, a solemn ceremony was held at the Akorda residence to welcome President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.