According to the Mining.com website, the US and Uzbekistan signed a mining investment agreement, further expanding the scope of strategic minerals.
The Uzbek government announced that a delegation recently visited Washington and held talks with US corporate executives. However, the Uzbek government did not disclose the related companies or investment amounts.
"These agreements cover investment in mineral exploration and development, including the manufacturing of grinding equipment and the training of Uzbek talents," the government stated in Tashkent.
On April 9, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed the agreement after a meeting. In September 2024, the two countries had already signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals.
Rubio stated after the talks, "Our two countries have broad prospects for investment and cooperation in critical minerals and other fields."
Uzbekistan has been trying to develop its abundant resources, including many critical minerals sought by the US. Earlier this year, the country launched a $2.6 billion plan to support investment in 76 mining projects involving 28 different elements.
At the time, Uzbek leaders stated, "The main task is to adopt modern technologies to directly extract high-value raw materials from ore, improve the purity of mineral products, and produce high-value-added products."
Meanwhile, the US is seeking to establish a new strategic circle in resource-rich countries such as the DRC. In addition to Uzbekistan, the Trump administration has also targeted Pakistan's mineral resources and has sent a delegation to Islamabad.
Additionally, the White House is negotiating with Ukraine and the DRC to exchange so-called security protection for critical minerals needed for batteries, defense, and modern technology.
