The three-day exhibition, being held from September 16 to 18 at the Atakent International Exhibition Centre in Almaty, has provided NICICO with a platform to present Iran’s mining expertise and explore potential cross-border investment projects and partnerships.
Mining and Metals Central Asia is one of the region’s major events for the mining and metallurgical industries, bringing together mining companies, equipment manufacturers, engineering firms, investors, government institutions and technology providers.
The 2026 edition covers more than 20,000 square meters and has attracted more than 500 companies from around 30 countries, according to the organizers. Exhibitors are presenting technologies and services related to mineral exploration, mining, processing, metallurgy, automation, digitalization, environmental protection and industrial safety.
A key focus of this year’s exhibition is the development of critical minerals and the expansion of value chains from resource extraction to processing and higher-value products. The business program also highlights investment projects, technological modernization and international cooperation in the mining industry.
For Iran, the event offers an opportunity to promote not only mineral products but also the technical expertise and industrial capabilities developed across the country’s mining, processing and downstream sectors.
NICICO’s participation comes as Iran seeks to strengthen economic ties with Eurasian and Central Asian economies and expand cooperation beyond conventional trade in raw materials.
Iran has extensive experience in copper exploration, extraction, processing and downstream production, while Kazakhstan is seeking investment, technology and international partnerships to further develop its mining and metallurgical industries.
The two countries’ complementary capabilities could create opportunities for cooperation in areas including mineral exploration, mine development, processing, equipment manufacturing, engineering services and investment in projects designed to increase value-added production.
The growing emphasis on critical minerals has added further importance to mining cooperation across Central Asia, as countries seek to expand domestic processing capacity and build more diversified and resilient supply chains. Kazakhstan has increasingly identified the mining sector as an important pillar of its broader industrial and investment strategy.
Ahad Alikhani, an adviser to NICICO, said the company is fully prepared to enter international markets and export its technical and engineering expertise in the mining sector, according to the company.
The emphasis on technical and engineering exports reflects an effort by Iran’s mining industry to expand its international role beyond the export of mineral commodities and to compete in higher-value segments of the global mining industry.
Hossein Amiri - ahmad shirzadian
