Pakistan and the United States signed a critical minerals agreement that launches immediate exports of antimony, copper, gold, tungsten and rare earths while laying groundwork for a U.S.-backed refinery in Pakistan. The deal, led by US Strategic Metals and the Frontier Works Organization, carries an initial $500m investment into Pakistan’s sector.
The deal provides U.S. firms with a fresh, non-Chinese source of rare earths and strategic minerals, diversifying supply chains critical to defense and clean-energy sectors. For U.S. manufacturers, it could ease cost and security pressures around inputs like copper, antimony and rare earths, though much will hinge on how quickly the refinery project materialises.
Pakistan and the United States signed an agreement on critical minerals.
Deal struck between US Strategic Metals (USSM, Missouri-based producer/recycler of critical minerals) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO).
Critical minerals covered are key for defense, aerospace, technology, advanced manufacturing, and energy production.
Immediate start: Pakistan will export antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements to the U.S.
Longer term: USSM plans to build a proprietary poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan.
The refinery will produce intermediate and finished mineral products for U.S. market demand.
