Russian scientists confirm high potential of South Irgiz rare metals deposit in Kazakhstan

ASTANA. May 15 (Interfax) - Scientists from Russia's Tomsk Polytechnic University together with specialists from Kazakhstan's Central Geological Survey LLP have conducted a comprehensive study of ores at the South Irgiz deposit in Central Kazakhstan, confirming its potential as one of the largest and most promising sources of rare earth metals in the world, the university's press service said Friday.

The results of the study were published in the Journal of Geochemical Exploration. The project was carried out with support from Russia's Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

The South Irgiz deposit was discovered in April 2025 and belongs to the Zhana-Kazakhstan ore cluster in central Kazakhstan. According to scientists' estimates, rare earth metal resources at the Zhana-Kazakhstan ore cluster exceed 20 million tonnes.

"Upon further confirmation, these promising areas could become the foundation for one of the world's leading rare earth element supply bases in Kazakhstan," the statement said.

For the study, scientists collected core samples from depths of up to 110 meters. Analysis was conducted using optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the university said.

According to the scientists, the results confirm the high potential of the Zhana-Kazakhstan ore cluster as a potential source of strategic metals and could serve as a foundation for developing mining technologies and more precise deposit assessments at all stages of geological exploration.