Kazakhstan miner ENRC asks govt to cut key tax

ASTANA, Jan 28 (Reuters) - London-listed Kazakh mining and metals group ENRC (ENRC.L) asked the government on Wednesday to temporarily reduce a key minerals extraction tax rate to help the sector deal with falling global metals prices.

"We are asking the government to consider cutting the minerals extraction tax for marginally profitable companies for the crisis period," ENRC Vice President Zaure Zaurbekova told a government meeting.

Ferrochrome, aluminium and other metals produced by ENRC have all suffered a sharp fall in world consumption, sparking sharp price declines.

Last month, ENRC said its effective tax rate would not change much under a new tax code introduced this year, due to low commodity prices. The minerals extraction tax links the rate for every metal to its global price. (Reporting by Raushan Nurshayeva; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by David Holmes)