Uzbekistan announced on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, that it has signed a series of agreements with U.S. companies to boost investment in its critical minerals sector. The deals come as global demand for essential minerals like copper, lithium, and cobalt continues to soar due to their key role in electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and other high-tech industries.
According to a statement from Uzbekistan’s trade ministry, the agreements—signed during a government delegation’s visit to Washington—cover investments in both the exploration and extraction of mineral resources. They also include plans for building grinding machinery and training Uzbek specialists.
The move aligns with broader efforts by the United States and the European Union to reduce their dependence on China, which currently dominates the global critical minerals market.
Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic, has drawn increasing interest from Western nations looking to diversify their supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has made liberalizing the economy a central priority of his administration. In March, he unveiled a $2.6 billion investment plan aimed at modernizing and expanding the country’s mineral sector.
