Kazakh metallurgical company Qarmet announced the start of manganese ore mining at the West Karazhal deposit, marking the company's entry into manganese mining as a new strategic business segment.
According to the company, two underground tunnels at the Atasu mine were connected for the first time in three decades, allowing heavy mining equipment to reach areas that were previously only available through manual mining. The development is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency and enable large-scale mining operations.
Major production expansion planned until 2028
Qarmet said the project represents a new phase in the development of the Atasu deposit, supporting a significant increase in mining capacity. By 2028, the company plans to increase total ore production from the current 2.2 million tons to approximately 9.5 million tons per year, representing more than fourfold growth.
The West Karazhal deposit contains an estimated 349 million tons of manganese ore, making it one of the world's largest known reserves. Initial manganese production is expected to reach around 500,000 tonnes by 2026, while long-term projected capacity is forecast at 2.5 million tonnes per year.
Growing demand for manganese supports the investment case
Market interest in Manganese use has increased amid its growing importance in steelmaking, where it is used to improve strength, durability and wear resistance.
