Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, particularly in solid mineral resources. There are over 90 types of mineral deposits and more than 1,200 types of mineral raw materials in the country, with over 500 confirmed mining sites for black, colored, rare, and precious metals. Some of these deposits contribute a significant proportion of global reserves, such as chrome reserves, which make up 41.1% of the world's total.

Kazakhstan's iron ore reserves are 2.5 billion tons, with an iron content of 900 million tons, ranking 11th in the world (the top 10 are Australia, Brazil, Russia, China, Ukraine, Canada, India, the United States, Iran and Peru). Kazakhstan's iron ore resources are mainly concentrated in the Turgay Basin, including Kostanay and Karaganda provinces. The Sokolov-Sarbaiskoye area, including the Kachar region, is the largest iron ore gathering area in Kazakhstan, with several large iron ore deposits, including Sokolov-Sarbaiskoye, Kachar and Romanovskoye. Among them, the Sokolov-Sarbaiskoye deposit includes two large iron ore deposits, Sokolov and Sarbaiskoye. The former is the largest iron ore deposit in the area, with a proven reserve of 280 million tons (ore volume) and an average iron grade of 36.7%; the latter has a proven reserve of 120 million tons (ore volume) and an average iron grade of 35%. Another iron ore concentration area is the Atasu region in the central Karaganda province, with reserves of 500 million tons. In addition, there are abundant hematite resources waiting to be developed in the eastern part of Kazakhstan.

There are about 10 iron ore mining companies in Kazakhstan, with Sokolov-Sarbai Mining Production Association JSC being the leading enterprise. The company was founded in 1954 and is the largest iron ore mining company in Kazakhstan, located in the city of Rudny in Kostanay Region. Its main activities include mining and processing of iron ore, limestone, and dolomite, as well as production and sales of iron concentrates, pellets, crushed stone, and lime. The company owns four iron ore mines, one dolomite mine, and one limestone mine. Except for the Sokolov mine, which is operated both as an open-pit and underground mine, all other mines are open-pit operations.

1. Steel production and consumption situation

In 2021, Kazakhstan's crude steel production is approximately 4.5 million tons, long product production is approximately 910,000 tons, and flat product production is approximately 2.54 million tons.
Kazakhstan's apparent consumption of crude steel in 2021 is 2.93 million tons, with a per capita steel consumption of 152kg. Apparent consumption of steel products is 2.63 million tons, with a per capita consumption of 137kg.

2. Steel trade situation

Kazakhstan is a net exporter of steel. In 2021, Kazakhstan exported a total of 1.39 million tons of semi-finished and finished steel products, including 160,000 tons of long products, 590,000 tons of flat products, and 30,000 tons of steel pipes. The country imported a total of 300,000 tons of semi-finished and finished steel products, including approximately 70,000 tons of long products, 180,000 tons of flat products, and 40,000 tons of steel pipes.

3. Main steel production enterprises in Kazakhstan

（1）ArcelorMittal Temirtau is the largest steel and mining production company in Kazakhstan, established in 1995. Currently, the company is fully owned by the ArcelorMittal Group. The company's crude steel production capacity is 3.68 million tons, with its main steel plant located in Temirtau city. In addition, the company also has its own iron and coal mines. Its main products include reinforcing bars, rods, sections, medium and heavy plates, hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled coils, galvanized sheets, hot-dip galvanized sheets, and steel pipes.

（2）KSP Steel LLP is located in Pavlodar and is a small-scale producer mainly focused on manufacturing steel pipes.