In a landmark move, China’s East Hope Group (EHG), one of the world’s leading non-ferrous metals conglomerates, has unveiled plans to invest over USD 12 billion in Kazakhstan’s green aluminium and non-ferrous metals sector. The announcement came following high-level talks on February 17, 2025, between EHG’s General Director Changjun Meng and top Kazakh officials, including First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar and the leadership of Kazakh Invest.
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What the project entails
The investment blueprint by East Hope Group outlines the development of a vertically integrated industrial complex that will span multiple regions across Kazakhstan. This megaproject is expected to include a mining and raw material processing plant, a full-fledged aluminium smelter equipped with electrolysis capabilities, and an in-house power generation unit to cater to the project’s substantial energy demands.
The industrial park will also feature state-of-the-art facilities for metallurgical processing and value-added aluminium fabrication. What distinguishes this initiative is not only its scale and ambition but also its strategic orientation, designed to serve multiple export markets including the European Union, Central Asia, and China. By creating a closed-loop production chain within Kazakhstan, the project aims to shift the country’s economic trajectory from raw material exports to high-value finished goods, thus embedding Kazakhstan deeper into the global green aluminium value chain.
Creating jobs and local value chains
The project is projected to create approximately 10,000 new jobs across engineering, mining, processing, power generation, and construction. It also promises to elevate Kazakhstan from a raw-material exporter to a global player in finished aluminium products, adding much-needed value to local supply chains.
Green credentials & tech transfer
EHG is known for investing in low-carbon “green” industrial complexes in China, including USD 10 billion in domestic projects. Kazakhstan’s industrial park will reportedly follow a similar model, incorporating energy-efficient processes and potentially green power solutions. This aligns with global decarbonisation pathways in metals manufacturing.
Strategic context & bilateral momentum
This agreement is not just an industrial partnership but a strategic expression of deepening ties between Kazakhstan and China. The project is backed by a tripartite framework agreement involving Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Construction, and East Hope Group, a signal of strong political alignment and institutional commitment.
Kazakhstan’s senior leadership has reiterated the importance of this partnership in transforming the country’s industrial capacity and technological base.
This investment dovetails with Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to attract high-impact foreign direct investment, particularly in sectors aligned with sustainability and long-term value creation. Moreover, it reflects Beijing’s growing interest in Central Asia as a critical node in its Belt and Road Initiative, with Kazakhstan serving as a stable and resource-rich partner. The East Hope venture stands as a beacon of this evolving geopolitical and economic collaboration, where strategic alignment meets mutual industrial gain.
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