Lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements are used in batteries, electronics, energy systems and industrial equipment. As demand grows, reliable supply becomes more important.
The OECD’s report on critical-mineral traceability cites International Energy Agency data on mining concentration. The average combined share of the three largest mining countries for key energy minerals rose from 73% in 2020 to 77% in 2024.
This is an average across the minerals considered. It does not mean the same three countries lead in every mineral.
Concentration can expose buyers to disruption. Consequently, governments and companies are looking both for additional supply and for better information about existing chains.
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Why traceability matters
A mineral can pass through processors, traders and manufacturers before reaching a final product. Along the way, its form, composition or ownership may change.
Traceability can help establish the material’s origin, route and chain of custody. Such information may support supply-risk assessment. It can also help authorities compare physical flows with declared values.
However, traceability does not necessarily mean public disclosure. A company may collect information for internal use. Moreover, a digital system alone does not prove compliance with environmental or social standards. Independent checks remain necessary.
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What the OECD found
The OECD report draws partly on a joint OECD-IEA survey of 90 leading companies. It also examines lithium in Argentina and Chile, and nickel in Indonesia and the Philippines.
The findings suggest that traceability systems are uneven. Companies often collect country-of-origin information. Yet data on ownership, supplier relationships and the physical characteristics of minerals is less consistent.
The survey describes the participating companies. It should not be presented as representative of the entire global industry. Participation in a traceability system also does not imply complete visibility across every stage.
Costs, incompatible systems and fragmented regulation remain obstacles. Therefore, collecting more information is only part of the task. Companies also need reliable ways to verify and exchange it.
Europe’s battery passport
The European Union is introducing a digital battery passport. Under the EU Batteries Regulation, the requirement applies from 18 February 2027 to electric-vehicle batteries, light-means-of-transport batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh that are placed on the market or put into service.
Not every information requirement starts on the same date. The European Commission explains that some fields depend on separate obligations and timelines.
For suppliers, the development highlights the importance of product information. However, specific obligations depend on the product and the company’s role.
The question for Kazakhstan
The OECD report does not assess Kazakhstan or offer country-specific recommendations. Nevertheless, it raises a useful question: which stages of critical-mineral supply chains can Kazakhstan develop competitively?
Mining, processing, material production and recycling require different technologies and investments. None is automatically profitable. The economics depend on the mineral, ore quality, energy, logistics, demand and financing.
Reliable data can support industrial infrastructure. For example, verified information on volumes, quality and origin may help commercial transactions and public oversight. Yet digital records cannot replace laboratory testing, supervision or independent audits.
Recycling adds another potential source of minerals. Materials can return to the market from equipment, electronics and batteries. Therefore, supply is not limited to places with deposits.
Kazakhstan’s resource base remains a starting point. Its place in the market will also depend on technology, credible information, standards and access to buyers.
Lina Egel Kyzy, EconomyKZ Research expert, exclusively for EconomyKZ.org
