Session 6

09:30 – 11:00 / 25 June 2026   Kavaklıdere Ballroom

The 'Midstream' Opportunity - Value-Added Processing Across the Tethyan Belt

Moving beyond raw ore exports is the defining ambition of the region. This session examines the strategic and technical pathways to domestic processing, refining and intermediate product manufacturing — from battery precursors and alloys to REE oxides. Case studies will cover Türkiye's boron and REE processing strategy, Uzbekistan's TMK integrated model, Kazakhstan's midstream investments, and Armenia's copper-molybdenum downstream challenge. The CBAM/EU traceability agenda will be addressed.

Key themes
  • Türkiye’s industrial processing strategy: from boron chemicals to REE magnets and battery precursors.
  • Kazakhstan Vision 2030: building high-value metallurgical clusters — copper POX, green HBI, rare earths.
  • Uzbekistan TMK’s integrated value chain: from geological exploration to intermediate product export.
  • Armenia’s copper-molybdenum processing gap: from concentrate to cathode copper and molybdenum oxide.
  • EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Digital Product Passports: implications for Tethyan Belt exporters.