Reported by Mining.com
The United States and Uzbekistan have signed a mining investment agreement, further expanding cooperation in strategic minerals.
The Uzbek government announced that a delegation recently visited Washington and held talks with U.S. corporate executives. However, the government did not disclose the companies involved or the investment amounts.
“The agreements cover investments in mineral exploration and development, including the manufacturing of grinding equipment and training for Uzbek professionals,” the government stated in a declaration issued in Tashkent.
The agreement was signed on April 9 after a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. In September 2024, the two countries had already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals.
Following the talks, Rubio remarked, “Our two countries have vast prospects for investment and collaboration in critical minerals and other fields.”
Uzbekistan has been striving to develop its abundant resources, including many critical minerals sought by the U.S. Earlier this year, the country launched a $2.6 billion initiative to support investments in 76 mining projects involving 28 different elements.
At the time, Uzbek leaders stated, “The primary task is to adopt modern technologies to directly extract high-value raw materials from ores, improve mineral purity, and produce high-value-added products.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. has been seeking to establish new strategic partnerships with resource-rich nations such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Besides Uzbekistan, the Trump administration has also shown interest in Pakistan’s mineral resources, sending a delegation to Islamabad.
Additionally, the White House is negotiating with Ukraine and the DRC to secure critical minerals needed for batteries, defense, and advanced technologies in exchange for so-called “security guarantees.”
Source:
https://geoglobal.mnr.gov.cn/zx/kczygl/zcdt/202504/t20250414_9303411.htm
