Kazakhstan lacks control over rare earth metals exports – parliament membersMembers of parliament from the Ak Zhol Party are demanding stricter oversight of rare earth metals exports from Kazakhstan, citing what they describe as a lack of state control."Kazakhstan is among the countries with the richest reserves of rare earth metals. At the same time, amid public debate about the unfavorable terms of production sharing agreements (PSAs) in the oil and gas sector, there is an obvious need for transparency in the development of these resources as well," said Azat Peruashev, a member of the Majilis, the lower chamber of parliament, reading a parliamentary inquiry from the faction addressed to Minister of Industry and Construction Yersain Nagaspayev at a plenary session.He said that the faction had earlier raised concerns about cases of uncontrolled exports of precious and rare earth metals disguised as other raw materials and concentrates."Kazakhmys Corporation responded at the time that it conducts a full chemical analysis of exported raw materials at accredited laboratories of a leading international inspection company, and thus fully complies with the legal requirements. The Ministry of Industry also stated that when obtaining an export permit, the exporter submits documents issued by a testing laboratory," Peruashev said.However, he stressed that under the law, the competence for state control over imports and exports of metals rests with the authorized government agency. Yet, the ministry's response suggests that state control functions are effectively delegated to laboratories hired by subsoil users. The state body does not verify the reliability of the data but merely collects the documents."In particular, there is no mechanism for independent verification by engaging independent or state laboratories. This situation creates a conflict of interest and raises certain doubts," the Majilis member said.According to Peruashev, alongside well-known resource companies, new subsoil users are entering Kazakhstan - the government plans to sell about 40 deposits on September 19 alone. A total of 3,200 licenses for exploration and production have been issued under the simplified licensing procedure, many to foreign companies, and no one can guarantee that all of them comply with Kazakhstan's national interests, Peruashev stated."To ensure full government control over the export of mineral raw materials and to prevent abuse and manipulation, the faction demands mandatory control chemical analyses of exported ores and concentrates at independent accredited laboratories not bound by contracts with subsoil users. We may also need to establish state laboratories under government agencies," Peruashev said. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX