Kazakhstan plans to construct a new copper smelter in the city of Balkhash, the press service of the Kazakh government reported. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed a resolution approving the investment agreement between the Ministry of Industry and Construction and Qazaq Smelter LLP. "The launch of the new production facilities will increase Kazakhstan's copper output by 1.5 times, to more than 800,000 tons per year. Exports of higher value-added products will rise from 460,000 to 760,000 tons of copper annually. Cathode copper is a key raw material for manufacturing value-added products, including electrical cables and equipment, pipes, construction materials, automotive components, as well as bronze, brass, and other copper alloys.