KAZAKH INVEST Presented Investment Opportunities in Coal Chemistry at the 6th Coal Industry Forum
On the sidelines of the ASTANA MINING & METALLURGY – 2025 International Mining and Metallurgy Congress, the 6th Coal Industry Forum was held under the theme “Coal Industry: Challenges and Prospects.” The event brought together representatives of government agencies, industry, academia, and international companies. On behalf of NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board Azamat Kozhanov delivered a presentation.
During the presentation, the high potential of Kazakhstan in the field of coal chemistry was highlighted. With proven coal reserves totaling 33.6 billion tons, the Republic has significant opportunities to establish a new industrial platform through deep processing of coal raw materials. According to the speaker, the transition from traditional coal mining to coal processing with the production of high value-added products can increase the sector's economic efficiency by tens of times.
Special attention was given to ongoing investment projects. One of the largest is the initiative of the Chinese state-owned corporation China Energy Investment Corporation (CHN Energy) — the world’s largest coal producer, with an annual output of approximately 650 million tons. The company has begun working on a project to build a coal chemistry complex in Kazakhstan. The planned investment volume exceeds $4 billion.
Significant progress has also been made in the implementation of the Fufeng Group’s project for deep processing of corn in the Zhambyl region. With the support of KAZAKH INVEST, construction of an $800 million plant began in April 2024, with a processing capacity of up to 1 million tons of corn per year and production of high value-added products — lysine, monosodium glutamate, and amino acids. The investor is considering the development of the coal chemistry direction, having selected a location near coal deposits for the production of mineral fertilizers and chemical products.
In his speech, Azamat Kozhanov emphasized new opportunities for attracting investment into Kazakhstan’s coal chemistry sector:
“Developing the coal chemistry industry is not just a logical continuation of coal mining, but an opportunity to create a new industrial base in Kazakhstan. The transition to deep processing of coal raw materials will enable the production of high value-added products — methanol, polyolefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, and over 400 other items in total, demanded both in domestic and international markets. This approach can ensure a multiple increase in revenues from subsoil use, stimulate the development of related industries, and create thousands of jobs. Kazakhstan possesses all the fundamental advantages: a powerful raw material base, logistical potential, an open investment policy, and a clear state focus on industrialization. Today, we have a unique chance to build a sustainable coal chemistry industry, and we are ready to make every effort to realize it.”
The forum served as an important platform for dialogue, where key directions for the development of the coal industry were discussed, including issues of production modernization, logistics, workforce development, and the implementation of advanced technologies.
