American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) and ReElement Technologies have announced a significant advancement in their strategic partnership with Uzbekistan, aimed at commercially demonstrating high-purity tungsten refining. This new agreement, signed on October 19, 2026, during the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council event in Samarkand, builds upon a previous memorandum of understanding from November 2025. The collaboration includes the Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex (UzTMK) and the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan (UFRD), reflecting a commitment to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and develop secure critical mineral supply chains.
The partnership aims to validate the processing of Uzbek-sourced tungsten into high-purity oxide form using ReElement’s proprietary refining technology. Tungsten is a critical mineral essential for various applications, including industrial, defense, aerospace, and electronics. Given the geopolitical risks associated with global tungsten supply chains, the establishment of diversified refining capacities is increasingly vital. ReElement’s modular refining platform is designed to produce high-purity critical mineral products tailored to customer specifications while aligning processing capacity with commercial demand.
Under the new agreement, the parties will engage in expanded technological evaluations and a commercial demonstration program at ReElement’s U.S. facilities, focusing on the commercial viability and scalability of tungsten refining. Additionally, preliminary engineering and process design for potential tungsten refining operations in Uzbekistan will be explored, aiming to create higher-value processing capabilities closer to mineral sources.
A joint working group comprising all four parties will coordinate technical activities and project proposals, facilitating visits for Uzbek technical specialists to ReElement’s U.S. facilities. This initiative represents a shift in international critical mineral development, moving beyond traditional raw material extraction to a model that maximises economic benefits through collaboration in resource development and advanced processing.
Mark Jensen, Chairman and CEO of American Resources Corporation and ReElement Technologies, expressed enthusiasm about advancing the relationship with Uzbekistan, highlighting the importance of mineral security for economic prosperity and national security. This collaboration exemplifies how American innovation can connect with Uzbekistan’s resource strengths to deliver lasting economic value for both nations. The partnership aims to support Uzbekistan’s domestic industrial development and technological advancement while providing the U.S. with access to diversified critical mineral supplies.
