In the increasingly fierce global competition for mineral resources, Chinese companies have once again dropped a heavy blow to their layout in Central Asia. CNMC has announced a major investment plan of up to $600 million, with a precise focus on the Benkara copper mine in the Aktobe region of Kazakhstan. As the 2028 production milestone approaches, China Kazakhstan mining cooperation is upgrading from simple trade exchanges to deep integration of capital and industry, and a new overseas strategic growth pole is rising in the hinterland of Central Asia.

Lock in million ton copper ore resources

This is not a tentative investment, but a carefully planned lightning battle. CNMC, through its 70% controlling stake in SM Minerals Ltd., has acquired the mining and exploration rights for the North and South Benkara deposits. Although the average grade of 0.4% may seem low, the total amount of copper resources behind it is as high as 1.5 million tons, combined with an annual production capacity plan of 45000 tons, which is sufficient to support a long-term stable cash flow.

It is worth noting that as early as the end of 2025, CNMC had completed a key adjustment of its equity structure, increasing its shareholding ratio to 70%, clearing the property rights barrier for this $600 million infrastructure investment. Based on a two-year construction period, the first batch of copper concentrate will be produced here from 2028 to 2029, directly meeting the strong demand of the global new energy and power industries.

Cost dividend and strategic ambition

Choosing Kazakhstan essentially means choosing the ultimate cost efficiency. As a mining giant in Central Asia, Kazakhstan not only has abundant copper reserves, but also provides highly competitive low electricity and fuel costs - a profit moat that determines life and death for high-energy copper mining.

CNMC has been deeply involved in this area for nearly 20 years and has already gained a thorough understanding of the local business environment. The Benkara project is not only an isolated mine, but also a gateway for Chinese capital to radiate throughout the Central Asian market. Relying on the low-cost advantage here, the enterprise intends to further replicate the successful model and achieve a breakthrough from point to surface in the mineral rich belt of Central Asia.

For Kazakhstan, which desires to transform its resource advantages into economic power, China's capital and technology are undoubtedly the most efficient catalysts. Keywords: international cooperation, mineral resources

In the era where resources are king, this $600 million is not only a ticket, but also a contract deeply bound between China and Kazakhstan in the field of mineral resources. With the rise of the Benkara copper mine, the balance of the Central Asian mining landscape is quietly tilting towards the east.Editor/Cheng Liting