The featureless plains of Kazakhstan belie what riches lie buried beneath them . The country has an abundance of natural gas and oil that if developed could more than double the country 's crude output in the next decade to 4 million barrels per day , according to the International Energy Agency . That would make it one of the top 7 oil producers in the world . Add a boom in uranium mining to the country 's raw materials portfolio and government figures reveal that 70 % of its economy comes from its natural resources . Kazakhstan 's mineral wealth will be a major source of income for decades to come , but it wo n't last forever . The country is trying to use it wisely to transition to a broader economic base while developing the natural resources industries to the maximum . Last year Kazakhstan was the world 's top producer of uranium , accounting for over a third of global production . The industry 's rapid expansion , plus the good quality of the uranium and the comparatively cheap method of mining it have combined to give Kazakhstan an advantage over other big exporters like Australia and Canada . With continued investment , Vladimir Shkolnik , the head of Kazakhstan 's national atomic energy company , Kazatomprom , is keen to maintain that position . `` We are hoping to keep our leadership position in the uranium field , '' he says . `` We have dozens of facilities and hundreds of mines and we think we will remain a world leader in the uranium sector . '' Kazakhstan 's government is also trying to encourage more foreign investment . Since independence in 1991 , around $ 150 billion of foreign investment has flowed into the country ; $ 18 billion dollars last year alone , according to the government . Companies like GE and Eurocopter have been attracted to the country , entering partnerships with national companies that have helped bring training and new skills to the local workforce . While money is flowing from the country 's natural resources industry , the government is using some of its revenue to boost other sectors , like IT and engineering . The aim is to make the economy more resilient when commodities prices fall and better prepared for the day when the gush of oil and gas reduce to a trickle . `` Of course revenues from raw materials are still by far the largest share of the country 's budget , '' says energy analyst , Murat Karymsakov . `` But in recent years the president ( of Kazakhstan ) has announced and put into place a plan for industrial and technological development to diversify the economy . '' A program that pays for the best and brightest of Kazakhstan 's young citizens to study aboard , as long as they return to the country upon graduation , is also helping to create a more knowledgeable , young workforce . Nurzhan Nazarbayev studied in the U.S. but now works at a new hydrocarbon purification plant in western Kazakhstan . He says he feels it is important to play an active role in contributing to the country 's development . `` I am proud to work in this sector ; to be a benefit to the nation , '' he says . `` With my background , ten years ago I went to a western university to get education and now I am back in my country , to serve my country . ''
Oil , coal and gas account for 70 % of Kazakhstan 's production . Kazakhstan is developing natural resources industries . Revenue from natural resources used to support growth of other industries . Scheme to pay for people 's travel abroad also used to develop skills and knowledge economy .