Uzbekistan and U.S. ink agreements to boost critical mineral projects

On April 7, a delegation led by MIIT Minister Laziz Kudratov held a series of meetings with representatives of American businesses. The talks involved companies from the mining, hospitality, and food industries.

During the meetings, American participants presented concrete investment proposals and business conditions, while expressing appreciation for Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms and showing willingness to deepen cooperation.

As a result of the negotiations, agreements were signed in the critical minerals sector, with both sides agreeing to invest in the exploration and extraction of mineral resources, as well as the construction of high-pressure grinding roll (HPGR) ore processing complexes.

The agreements also include plans to organize professional training programs for Uzbek specialists, aimed at bringing innovative technologies and added value to the critical minerals industry.

In addition, the parties agreed on implementation timelines for tourism-related projects, including the construction of new hotels, with a designated project manager assigned to oversee each initiative.

The extraction of critical minerals was one of the key topics at the C5+1 Summit of Central Asian and U.S. leaders held in September 2023. At that event, the U.S. side emphasized its intention to ensure energy security with the support of Central Asian countries in the years ahead.

Earlier, in September 2024, Uzbekistan and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals. According to the State Committee for Geology, the document aimed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of geological exploration and mineral extraction.