2026 China-Central Asia Mining Technology and Equipment Procurement Matchmaking Conference to be Held in Astana, Kazakhstan

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The 2026 China-Central Asia Mining Technology and Equipment Procurement Matchmaking Conference will be held from September 9 to 12 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event is organized by the Silk Road Mining Cooperation Forum and co-organized by the Kazakhstan Mining and Metallurgical Association. Based on the cooperation deployment in the green minerals sector outlined in the Astana Declaration of the Second China-Central Asia Summit, and combined with China's new round of strategic mineral exploration breakthrough actions and mining equipment export policies, the conference aims to establish a cross-border matchmaking platform for enterprises, government departments, and suppliers, promoting the alignment of China's intelligent green mining equipment and technical standards with the upgrading needs of the Central Asian mining industry.

Currently, mining cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries has become a core component of regional strategic collaboration. The Second China-Central Asia Summit in 2025 explicitly identified green minerals as one of the six priority cooperation directions, proposing joint efforts to advance geological exploration, green mine development, and full-industry-chain collaboration in minerals, while simplifying cross-border trade and investment procedures. A special press conference by the Ministry of Commerce in June 2026 proposed consolidating trade in energy and mineral bulk commodities, promoting the coordinated export of complete sets of equipment, technology, standards, and services, and leveraging the China-Central Asia Equity Investment Cooperation Fund to support the intelligent and low-carbon transformation of mines in Central Asia. Domestically, the Regulations for the Implementation of the Mineral Resources Law, effective from June 15, 2026, require adherence to principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation in international mineral cooperation, supporting enterprises in legally participating in overseas mineral development and equipment exports, and strengthening the global layout of the entire strategic mineral supply chain. The new round of strategic mineral exploration breakthrough action plan, jointly issued by eight departments, also encourages enterprises to co-build mining economic and trade cooperation zones with neighboring countries through the Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing the export value and brand competitiveness of high-end mining machinery equipment.

From the perspective of the Central Asian market, countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have prominent advantages in mineral resources, with reserves of copper, uranium, molybdenum, rare earths, lead, and zinc ranking among the highest globally. The domestic mining machinery manufacturing industry in these countries is weak, with over 75% of mining, beneficiation, and metallurgical equipment relying on imports. A large amount of equipment is entering a replacement cycle, with an average annual import scale exceeding USD 4 billion. In recent years, Central Asian countries have actively optimized foreign investment access policies: Kazakhstan amended the Subsoil Use Law, introducing tax reductions for equipment imports and exploration investment subsidies; Uzbekistan simplified mining enterprise licensing approvals and unified foreign investment access windows; Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan relaxed foreign ownership restrictions on ordinary minerals while introducing special support policies for mine digitalization and green transformation. Market data shows that Chinese mining equipment, leveraging advantages such as adaptability to harsh cold and dusty conditions, high cost-effectiveness, and complete process solutions, has continuously expanded its market share in Central Asia. In 2025, China's exports of industrial and mining equipment to Kazakhstan increased by 45% year-on-year, with mining trucks holding a 60% share in the local market, and demand for intelligent mining and digital exploration equipment growing by over 30%.

The theme of this matchmaking conference is "Deep Restructuring and Transformation, Towards the Future," adhering to the principles of small scale, high precision, and practical results. The event will selectively invite 30 leading enterprises in China's intelligent mining and green equipment sectors, along with over 150 mining, metallurgical, and exploration units from Central Asia, as well as representatives from relevant government departments and industry associations in mining, energy, investment, and environmental protection. The conference will establish a four-day full-chain matchmaking system, including policy interpretation, supply-demand special promotions, one-on-one private negotiations, on-site mine inspections, cooperation signings, and industry awards. The event covers multiple stages, including pre-conference high-level exchanges, centralized matchmaking sessions, on-site field visits, and independent in-depth negotiations, with the overall process flexibly adjusted based on on-site cooperation needs.

The conference offers a range of differentiated services tailored to the various export needs of enterprises, including basic participation, business exhibitions, presentations and exposure, accommodation and translation benefits, as well as exclusive honorary co-organizer slots and one-on-one closed-door negotiation services. The organizer also provides full-process support services for overseas expansion, integrating mining policies, procurement needs, and project resources from Central Asian countries to help enterprises mitigate compliance risks in overseas investments and open up cooperation pathways for equipment exports, technical services, and project co-building.

Hu Yaoguang, Executive Secretary-General of the Silk Road Mining Cooperation Forum, stated that this Astana procurement matchmaking conference serves as a concrete platform to implement the mining cooperation outcomes of the China-Central Asia Summit. Unlike traditional comprehensive exhibitions, the event is centered on procurement needs, inviting Central Asian resource parties in a reverse manner, shifting from "simple product exhibitions and sales" to "integrated cooperation in technology, equipment, standards, and operations and maintenance." Currently, the global mining industry is accelerating its transition towards green and intelligent operations, with Central Asian countries generally promoting mine carbon reduction and unmanned mining transformations. China's domestic mining equipment enterprises possess complete industrial chain advantages in areas such as intelligent tunneling, electric mining trucks, tailings environmental treatment, and digital mine management platforms, complementing the market demands of Central Asia. The matchmaking conference will drive the evolution of cooperation models from single equipment trade to diversified forms such as joint exploration, mine EPC contracting, technical co-building, and localized maintenance services, while leveraging cross-border logistics channels like the China-Europe (Central Asia) Railway Express and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway to overcome logistics bottlenecks for equipment exports. Industry experts point out that against the backdrop of the global restructuring of critical mineral supply chains, deepening mining equipment cooperation between China and Central Asia will help Central Asian countries upgrade their industries, broaden China's supply channels for strategic minerals, and cultivate new growth points for mining equipment foreign trade.