Mining and Processing in Central Asia
KAZ Resources is developing a portfolio of critical minerals assets in tungsten, rare earth elements, lithium tailings, and other geological exploration licenses.
Mining Exploration & Joint Ventures
Cove Kaz Capital Group is a portfolio company of Kaz Resources, a U.S.-based mining investment and development firm. The company is actively developing definitive tungsten and rare earths tailings mining and processing projects with the national mining company of Kazakhstan. Kaz Resources was the first U.S. company to receive critical minerals and rare earths land concessions in Kazakhstan. These concessions include thirteen minerals such as rare earth elements, lithium, tantalum, beryllium, niobium, cesium, and tin.
Executive Leadership
Proven expertise in bringing world-class mining projects from development into operation with at-scale refining capabilities. KAZ Resources is led by experts in mining, project development, finance, and global partnerships.
Pini Althaus is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Kaz Resources LLC and its portfolio company Cove Kaz Capital Group. A global mining executive with over two decades of experience across gold, copper, lithium, rare earths, and tungsten, he has built and advanced significant mineral projects across multiple continents. Mr. Althaus is the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ: USAR), where he built one of the most significant integrated rare earth platforms outside China. Through Cove Capital LLC, he also led the first U.S.-backed private company to secure strategic critical minerals concessions in Kazakhstan. He serves as a Director of Challenger Exploration Limited (ASX: CEL), where he was part of the group that rediscovered and advanced the Hualilan Gold Project in Argentina, and is the founder of Dominion Minerals Corp., a copper and gold exploration company. His career has been focused on identifying and developing strategic mineral assets across both precious and critical minerals sectors.
Ruslan Assimov serves as Executive Vice President of Kaz Resources and Deputy Chairman of its portfolio company Cove Kaz Capital Group. Ruslan has two decades of experience and business ownership in finance, development, and construction in Central Asia. He specializes in mining, heavy industry, and land development in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Dominic Heaton serves as Chief Executive Officer of Cove Kaz Capital Group a portfolio company of Kaz Resources. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Masan Resources during 2010 to 2017 and successfully built the Nui Phao tungsten mine and chemical processing facility in Vietnam. Under his leadership, Masan Resources became one of the world's largest tungsten producers. Dominic is widely recognized for having led the development of the Nui Phao integrated tungsten mine and refinery in Vietnam, the largest tungsten operation outside China and one of the most complex polymetallic projects brought into production in the past two decades.
Douglas Newby serves as Chief Financial Officer of Cove Kaz Capital Group and of Kaz Resources. Previously, Douglas served as the Chief Financial Officer of USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ: USAR) and was the Chief Financial Officer of PolyMet Mining, a Canadian company developing a large copper-nickel project in Minnesota, from 2005 to 2017. Douglas has a 45-year career in project evaluation, corporate and project finance, and corporate management specializing in the international mining industry. Previously, he was co-founder and served as Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Western Goldfields Inc., where he arranged finance for and negotiated the acquisition of the Mesquite gold mine from Newmont Mining.
Ashley McAleese serves as Chief Operating Officer of Cove Kaz Capital Group a portfolio company of Kaz Resources. Ashley brings over 24 years of international mining and metals industry experience. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Masan High‑Tech Materials (MHT) where he led operations at the Nui Phao Mine and Refinery – the world’s most modern major integrated tungsten mine and refinery – overseeing a workforce of approximately 1,500 employees and 700 contractors.
Ashley P. Beaty serves as Head of Global Engagement of Cove Kaz Capital Group a portfolio company of Kaz Resources. Since 2023, Ashley leads the company’s U.S. government relations, trade advocacy, and global public affairs in support of its geological concessions and joint venture mining agreements in Kazakhstan. Ashley serves on the Advisory Board of Directors of Cove Capital LLC and has advised its portfolio companies USA Rare Earth and REEMAG. Previously, she served as Vice President of Government Relations of Ameresco (NYSE: AMRC) and has successfully advised companies pre- and post-IPO in the energy, mining, and advanced technology sectors.
Alibek Kazbekuly is a Director of Kaz Critical Minerals LLP, a portfolio company of Kaz Resources. Based in Astana, he serves as the authorized company representative for all aspects of the business including engagement with foreign shareholders (U.S.-based), Kazakhstan government authorities, regulators, contractors, and stakeholders. Alibek has two decades of experience leading and advising companies in the mining, energy, and digital technology sectors in Kazakhstan. Since2023, he has led all in-country mining and drilling exploration operations for Kaz Critical Minerals LLP.