MIND ID Explores Downstream and Critical Minerals Cooperation in Kazakhstan - Kompas.id
mining
This collaborative initiative is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global mineral supply chain and downstream investment.
By Aditya Putra Perdana
18 Mei 2026 19:35 WIB · Mining
The Indonesian state-owned mining holding, MIND ID, is exploring potential cooperation in the mineral industry sector of Kazakhstan. This step is taken to strengthen Indonesia’s position on a global scale, particularly concerning downstream processing and mineral investment.
MIND ID President Director Maroef Sjamsoeddin visited Astana, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday (May 13, 2026). The visit aimed to explore strategic collaboration opportunities with Kazakhstan’s national mining company, Tau-Ken Sovereign, which is part of the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund (SWF).
During the visit, Maroef also met with representatives from the global mining company Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). He also inspected ERG’s alumina and aluminum smelter facilities in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.
At the meeting with the ERG, MIND ID discussed seven key areas aimed at supporting downstreaming in Indonesia. These seven areas include exploration, mineral processing, bauxite-to-aluminum downstreaming strategies, research and development (R&D), technology exchange, marketing, and knowledge sharing. The meeting also covered plans for a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Through a press release on Monday (18/5/2026), Maroef stated that Kazakhstan has industrial characteristics similar to those of Indonesia. Therefore, the Central Asian country is considered to have the potential to be an ideal partner in the development of strategic mineral commodities.
According to Maroef, this opportunity exploration is part of the government’s mandate to develop MIND ID into a global player. “Together with ERG and Samruk-Kazyna, we see significant opportunities in developing the bauxite-to-aluminum value chain, critical mineral processing, and other minerals. We will also study market access, logistics, and investment to strengthen downstream mineral processing and investment in Indonesia,” he said.
Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan M. Fadjroel Rachman stated that bilateral relations between Indonesia and Kazakhstan are now entering a more technical implementation phase, oriented towards tangible economic results. This was driven by the signing of the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement (FTA) in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 21, 2025, and the Joint Commission Meeting on Economic Cooperation between Indonesia and Kazakhstan in Astana.
Fadjroel added that the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Astana fully supports the steps taken by MIND ID. Kazakhstan is considered a gateway for energy—such as oil and natural gas—as well as minerals, uranium, and wheat in the Central Asia region. This initiative by MIND ID is expected to accelerate the expansion of Indonesia’s mineral industry business on a global scale.
Following the signing of the Indonesia-EAEU FTA, there is potential for a new trade target increase of 10 billion USD. Of this figure, the potential trade specifically between Kazakhstan and Indonesia reaches 2 billion USD. This cooperation is strengthened through the Joint Commission Meeting on Indonesia-Kazakhstan Economic Cooperation held on April 11, 2026.
In the future, the state visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan to Indonesia is planned to be accompanied by a business forum to establish the Indonesia-Kazakhstan Business Council.
According to the official website of the International Trade Administration (trade.gov), Kazakhstan is one of the countries with the greatest mineral resources in the world, particularly uranium. It is the largest uranium producer, accounting for 39 percent of total global production, and controls nearly half of the world’s natural uranium exports. Furthermore, Kazakhstan has substantial reserves of coal, gold, manganese, copper, and other strategic metals.
Kazakhstan also ranks third in the world for titanium production and is among the top 10 producers of zinc, lead, and gold. The mining industry serves as the backbone of their economy, contributing approximately 23.3 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). There are more than 230 companies operating in the mineral production and processing sector in the country, covering commodities such as copper, aluminum, uranium, and titanium.
Not only is Kazakhstan rich in resources, but it also holds a strategic position in the global mineral supply chain. The country has recorded iron ore reserves of 12.5 billion tons, making it the eighth largest in the world, as well as manganese reserves of approximately 600 million tons, which ranks it as the second largest in the world.
The cooperation between Indonesia—through MIND ID—and Kazakhstan is ultimately expected to open broader opportunities to strengthen the global supply chain of strategic minerals. This step will also accelerate the development of technology-based downstream processing and expand investment. Amid the increasing global demand for critical minerals for energy transition, collaboration between both parties has the potential to serve as a solid entry point into an increasingly competitive global market.
Writer:
Aditya Putra PerdanaEditor:
Aris Prasetyo