AMM 2026 BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 2,200 INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND CONFIRMED ITS STATUS AS A KEY INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM FOR THE MINING AND METALLURGICAL COMPLEX OF CENTRAL ASIA

ON JUNE 12, THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL MINING AND METALLURGY CONGRESS ASTANA MINING & METALLURGY - AMM 2026 CONCLUDED IN ASTANA.

AMM 2026 is the largest industry platform in Central Asia, bringing together representatives of the state, business, international organizations, financial institutions and the expert community to discuss the future of the mining and metallurgical complex.

Over the two days of the Congress, the event gathered 2,269 industry professionals from 29 countries, more than 120 speakers who spoke within 3 forums and 30 business sessions, and also served as a platform for 390 B2B and B2G meetings aimed at developing international cooperation, attracting investment and launching new projects. The main topics of discussion were the development of critical minerals, geological exploration, deep processing of raw materials, digitalization, artificial intelligence, sustainable development and the transformation of global supply chains.

The central event of AMM 2026 was the plenary session “From Subsoil to the Heights of Intelligence: Global Partnership for the Future of the MMC,” attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, representatives of the governments of Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the European Union, as well as heads of leading international and domestic companies. Opening the Congress, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan O. Bektenov emphasized the strategic role of the mining and metallurgical complex in the development of the country’s economy and global industry:

“President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has set the task of a phased transition from a predominantly raw-materials-based model to an economy of deep processing and high added value. Today, large-scale projects aimed at developing processing and increasing the share of high value-added products are already being implemented.”

The Head of Government also noted that Kazakhstan is consistently pursuing a course towards new industrialization based on the development of modern production facilities, the introduction of technologies and the production of high value-added goods, while the development of critical minerals is becoming one of the key areas of the country’s new industrial policy.

Special attention within the Congress was paid to international cooperation. One of the key foreign speakers was David Fogel, Assistant Secretary of Commerce of the United States and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, who noted the transition of U.S.-Kazakhstan cooperation from discussing prospects to implementing specific projects: “How do we take this vision of cooperation and bring it to life? We want to move towards projects that are ready for implementation. Fewer words and more action - that is exactly how we see it.”

According to David Fogel, Kazakhstan is in the focus of U.S. attention as one of the key partners in the development of supply chains for critical minerals, which are of strategic importance for the global economy and the industry of the future.

The day before, on June 10, within the framework of AMM 2026, the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue was held under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yersaiyn Nagaspayev and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor.

Members of the governments of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the dialogue. The participants discussed priority issues of cooperation between the Central Asian states and the United States in the field of geological exploration, mining, processing, as well as the supply of critical minerals to the global market. “President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev places particular emphasis on the important role of the C5+1 platform as a new format of interaction between Central Asia and the United States of America. The C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue is aimed at deepening cooperation in the field of sustainable supply of strategic raw materials, developing technological interaction and building reliable global supply chains. Amid growing global demand for critical minerals, these areas are of particular importance,” noted Yersaiyn Nagaspayev.

A significant international part of AMM 2026 was devoted to the development of Kazakhstan’s strategic partnership with key global players in the field of subsoil use and industry. Within the framework of the Congress, the U.S. - Kazakhstan Country Roundtable, the EU - Kazakhstan closed government meeting, the international session “From Rockies to Steppes: Canadian Mining Companies on Kazakhstan's Potential” and the workshop “From Critical Minerals Potential to Bankable Investment Projects” were held. These events became an important platform for discussing prospects for international cooperation, attracting investment and forming new cooperation projects in the field of development and deep processing of mineral resources.

On the first day of AMM 2026, a number of industry discussions were held on investment, financing, international cooperation and sustainable development of the mining and metallurgical complex. Key events included the panel sessions “Investment Climate in the MMC,” “Eurasia Critical Minerals Organisation: Sources of Financing for Geological Exploration and the Mining Industry of Kazakhstan,” “Taxation in the MMC,” “Metals Trading amid High Volatility: Managing Price Risks” and “Legalization and Development of Artisanal Mining: From Restrictions to Opportunities.” The strategic session “Geological Exploration: Can a Technological Breakthrough Respond to Key Challenges?” and the roundtable “Transport and Logistics in the MMC: Integrating Central Asia into Global Supply Chains” also attracted significant attention from participants, serving as platforms for discussing the technological transformation of the industry and strengthening international production ties.

An important outcome of AMM 2026 was the signing of a number of international agreements aimed at developing technological, scientific and investment cooperation in the mining and metallurgical industry. A key event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The document lays the foundation for further expansion of bilateral cooperation in subsoil use, processing of mineral raw materials, investment attraction and exchange of advanced technologies.

The first day of the Congress concluded with the Golden Hephaestus industry award ceremony, where A.P. Rau, Deputy Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan; O.S. Saparbekov, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and D.R. Rakhmatullayev, Deputy General Director for Finance of ERG in Kazakhstan, presented awards in 15 nominations in a solemn atmosphere.

The second day of the AMM Congress was devoted to specialized industry platforms. These included the Kazakhstan Coal Forum, the Gold Producers Forum, a workshop on critical minerals, as well as the II Congress of Jewelers of Kazakhstan, which brought together representatives of business and government agencies to discuss the balance between regulation and industry development. Following the Congress of Jewelers, the participants agreed to create a permanent working platform for the joint development of regulatory initiatives and support for domestic producers.

At the VII Forum of the Coal Industry of Kazakhstan, participants outlined the key priorities for the development of the industry in the coming years: synchronizing the growth of coal production with the implementation of the National Project for the Development of Coal Generation, expanding projects in coal chemistry, modernizing production facilities and introducing digital technologies. Special attention was paid to the investment attractiveness of the industry, the development of transport and logistics infrastructure and the training of qualified personnel. The outcome of the forum was the development of practical recommendations for the further development of the coal industry as a strategic basis for the country’s energy security.

The second day program also included the sessions “Industrial Artificial Intelligence: Practical Cases and Implementation Challenges,” “Processing and Metallurgy: Transition to Higher Processing Stages and Added Value,” “Modern Solutions for Mineral Raw Materials Processing,” “Control and Management of Geomechanical Processes as the Basis for Safe and Efficient Mining,” the PR meeting “The Image of the MMC in the Media: Who Benefits from a Strong Reputation?” and GR Strategy Lab: Business Operations in a New Political Architecture. The Congress concluded with a foresight session to summarize the results of the Congress with the participation of moderators of the strategic sessions.

An important part of AMM 2026 was the international specialized exhibition, which brought together 75 companies from 16 countries presenting modern solutions for the mining, metallurgical and processing industries. Participants presented technologies for automation and digitalization of production, geological exploration solutions, equipment for mining and processing minerals, as well as developments in industrial safety and environmental sustainability. More than half of the exhibitors took part in the AMM exhibition for the first time, confirming the growing interest of international business in Kazakhstan and its industrial potential.

AMM 2026 once again confirmed its role as Central Asia’s main professional platform for shaping the industry agenda, developing international dialogue and finding new growth points for the mining and metallurgical complex. The discussions, business negotiations and agreements reached create additional opportunities for attracting investment, introducing advanced technologies and strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as one of the leading centers of the mining and metallurgical industry in Eurasia.

AMM 2026 was organized by the Kazakhstani exhibition company Iteca and its international partner ICA Events.

State Partner: Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan

General Partner: Qarmet JSC

Gold Partners: Eurasian Group (ERG), KAZ Minerals, Kazzinc, Kazakhmys

Silver Partners: Komatsu Central Asia, Aktobe Copper Company

Bronze Partners: Turan Industrial & Redpath, Dassault Systemes, Solidcore Resources, Axellect, AltynGold PLC

The event is officially supported by the Akimat of Astana, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republican Association of Mining and Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises (AGMP), the Republican Association of Precious Metals Producers, the National Geological Service, Kazakh Invest and Visit Astana.