MINEX Forum

Tag: critical minerals

  • Uzbekistan Surpasses Uranium Production Targets and Accelerates Sector Expansion

    Uzbekistan Surpasses Uranium Production Targets and Accelerates Sector Expansion

    Uzbekistan has significantly exceeded its previously announced uranium production targets and plans to continue expanding the sector in the coming years, according to information cited by inbusiness.kz from Reuters.

    In 2025, the country increased uranium output to 7000 metric tons, well above earlier government projections. The disclosure was made by the presidential press service, which also said Uzbekistan intends to begin developing four new uranium deposits within the year.

    An official report, published for the first time with detailed production data, estimates Uzbekistan’s total uranium reserves at 139000 tons. These figures contrast sharply with earlier expectations from the national atomic energy agency, which had forecast production of just over 4200 tons for 2025.

    As part of its longer-term development strategy, Uzbekistan aims to raise annual uranium production to 7200 tons by 2030. Deputy Minister of Mining and Geology Ural Yusupov told state television that one project, with an estimated investment of $150 million, could start production as early as July this year.

  • Kazakhstan to Spend ₸240 Billion on Geological Exploration: What and Where the State Plans to Explore

    Kazakhstan to Spend ₸240 Billion on Geological Exploration: What and Where the State Plans to Explore

    Kazakhstan’s government will allocate ₸240 billion to geological exploration, but the specific distribution of these funds and the rationale behind the chosen priorities have raised questions among industry experts. In response to an inquiry from inbusiness.kz, the Ministry of Industry and Construction detailed its plans for 2026–2028 via the eOtinish electronic platform.

    A central focus of the program will be regional geological mapping at a scale of 1:50,000. Preparatory work began in 2025, with 20 design-and-cost project documents developed, covering a total area of around 100,000 square kilometers. These projects предусматривают comprehensive analysis of Earth remote sensing data, airborne geophysical and geochemical surveys, as well as field geological work. The estimated cost of these 20 projects amounts to ₸110 billion.

    Another major spending area is 2D seismic exploration. Six projects are scheduled to begin in 2026 with a combined budget of ₸42.6 billion. The work is aimed at identifying structural traps for hydrocarbons and will cover two blocks in the Shu–Sarysu sedimentary basin and four blocks in the North Turgai basin. In total, 2D seismic surveys will span 25,300 line kilometers, with completion planned by the end of 2028.

    According to the ministry, seismic work will begin simultaneously in several regions. The North Turgai basin will be surveyed in Kostanay Region, while the Shu–Sarysu basin will cover parts of Ulytau, Turkestan and Zhambyl regions. Information on forecast resources will become available after completion of the surveys, and the resulting geological reports are expected to be published in open access on the minerals.e-qazyna.kz portal and the website of the Committee of Geology.

    The ministry stressed that these regional programs should not interfere with the normal operations of existing subsoil users. On the contrary, officials say the data generated by the state program can be used by private companies when planning and implementing their own exploration activities.

    However, industry specialists note that the ministry’s explanation leaves the strategic logic of the program insufficiently articulated. In their view, there is no publicly available document that systematically assesses the prospectivity of different regions and mineral types or sets out a long-term exploration roadmap.

    Experts have also questioned the choice of basins selected for state-funded seismic surveys. Both the Shu–Sarysu and North Turgai basins are already seeing strong interest from national and private companies, while other underexplored areas—such as the Irtysh, Balkhash and Teniz basins—remain largely outside the scope of large-scale government programs.

    Additional criticism relates to institutional bottlenecks, including lengthy procedures for accessing geological data and a five-year confidentiality period for submitted exploration results. Analysts argue that removing such constraints could deliver faster and more tangible benefits for the sector than large-scale mapping or seismic programs alone.

  • EU Moves to Forge Critical Minerals Partnership with US to Counter China’s Dominance

    EU Moves to Forge Critical Minerals Partnership with US to Counter China’s Dominance

    The European Union is preparing to propose a formal critical minerals partnership with the United States, seeking to align with the Trump administration’s renewed push to secure global supply chains and reduce reliance on China.

    According to sources familiar with the discussions, Brussels is ready to sign a memorandum of understanding with Washington that would launch work on a “Strategic Partnership Roadmap,” with a draft framework expected within three months. Negotiators on both sides are aiming to conclude initial talks within 30 days, with a joint statement by the European Commission and the US expected this week.

    The proposed partnership is designed to coordinate sourcing, pricing and market safeguards for critical minerals that underpin modern technologies ranging from clean energy systems to defence equipment. Both the EU and the US remain heavily dependent on Chinese production and processing, a concentration that has given Beijing significant leverage over global supply chains.

    Under the proposal, the EU and US would explore joint mining and processing projects, develop secure transatlantic supply chains, and consider price-support mechanisms to protect Western producers from cheaper imports. The draft also highlights tools to prevent market manipulation and manage oversupply, including coordinated stockpiling and shared response mechanisms in the event of disruptions.

    Notably, EU officials insist the partnership explicitly include respect for territorial integrity. This provision follows recent strains in transatlantic relations after Donald Trump publicly floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and part of the EU.

    The initiative coincides with a US-led ministerial meeting this week, bringing together foreign ministers and senior officials from allied countries to advance agreements aimed at cutting dependence on Chinese critical minerals. A draft statement seen by Bloomberg indicates the EU, the US and partners are considering a broader plurilateral trade initiative involving like-minded nations.

    Potential measures under discussion include coordinated trade policies such as standards-based markets, price-gap subsidies, border-adjusted price floors and long-term offtake agreements. While the text remains subject to change, it reflects Washington’s interest in shielding domestic producers from undercutting by Chinese exports.

    China’s role looms large in the background. Beijing dominates both mining and refining of many critical minerals, and its export restrictions on rare earths last year elevated the issue to the top of Washington’s strategic agenda. Although some restrictions were temporarily eased following talks between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US officials remain focused on accelerating diversification.

    In parallel, the Trump administration has placed renewed emphasis on stockpiling. Earlier this week, the US announced a $12 billion critical minerals reserve aimed at protecting manufacturers from sudden supply shocks, a move closely aligned with elements of the EU proposal.

    The European Commission has described the talks as essential to reducing dependence on any single supplier, though officials privately caution that reaching a comprehensive agreement on complex pricing and trade mechanisms within weeks will be challenging. Still, the EU’s willingness to table a detailed proposal signals momentum toward closer transatlantic coordination on one of the most strategically sensitive areas of the global economy.

  • Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Heads to Washington for Critical Minerals Talks with the United States

    Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Heads to Washington for Critical Minerals Talks with the United States

    Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev will travel to Washington DC on 3–4 February to take part in the Critical Minerals Ministerial, marking his first official visit to the United States since assuming office in September 2025. On 3 February, he is scheduled to meet with the United States Department of State and representatives of other rare earth element (REE) supplier countries.

    Kosherbayev, a career diplomat, previously served as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Russia, governor of the East Kazakhstan Region, and deputy prime minister, combining diplomatic, regional and executive experience. His visit also includes engagement with Yerzhan Kazykhan, appointed in January as Kazakhstan’s first-ever Special Envoy to the United States, underscoring Astana’s emphasis on high-level engagement with Washington.

    The trip follows months of intensified diplomatic and economic contacts between Kazakhstan and the United States. Since November, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and US President Donald Trump have met twice in person and held a phone call, with discussions spanning trade, investment and global forums, including an invitation to the G20 meeting scheduled for December 2026.

    Critical minerals have emerged as a central pillar of this renewed engagement. Rare earth elements form a key part of Washington’s supply-chain diversification strategy, and Kazakhstan’s geological potential positions it as a relevant partner. This alignment has already been formalized through a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in critical minerals, signed by Tokayev, aimed at strengthening supply chains and expanding bilateral economic ties.

    Investor interest has begun to follow diplomatic signaling. US-backed initiatives and early-stage engagement from investors, including Cove Capital, as well as a letter of interest of up to $900 million from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, point to growing momentum, even as projects remain at an early phase.

    Unlike many emerging REE suppliers, Kazakhstan brings an existing industrial base to the table. Its established processing and refining capacity across metals such as uranium, copper, chromium and titanium allows the country to participate across the value chain rather than act solely as a raw-material exporter. Long-standing partnerships with global majors like Chevron and Exxon Mobil further reinforce Kazakhstan’s track record in delivering complex, capital-intensive projects.

    Still, translating strategic alignment into functioning supply chains will depend on execution. Regulatory clarity, permitting efficiency and coordination between mining and industrial policy remain key variables. The State Department–hosted meetings during Kosherbayev’s visit represent an initial step from diplomacy toward implementation, as Kazakhstan seeks to position itself as a credible long-term partner in US efforts to diversify rare earth and critical mineral supplies.

  • EU to Offer US Critical Minerals Partnership to Counter China’s Dominance

    EU to Offer US Critical Minerals Partnership to Counter China’s Dominance

    The European Union is set to offer the United States a critical minerals partnership designed to curb China’s influence over global supply chains, according to people familiar with the matter.

    Brussels is preparing a memorandum of understanding to create a “Strategic Partnership Roadmap” within three months, which would guide joint efforts to source and refine essential materials for modern technologies—ranging from batteries to semiconductors—without heavy reliance on Beijing.

    The proposal includes initiatives such as joint mineral projects, price support mechanisms, and safeguards against market manipulation. It also encourages building reciprocal supply chains between the two economies while maintaining mutual respect for territorial integrity—a pointed reference after tensions rose when U.S. President Donald Trump signaled interest in purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

    The renewed cooperation effort comes ahead of a major U.S.-led meeting of foreign ministers and senior officials this week aimed at forming global alliances to reduce Chinese mineral dominance. Washington’s sense of urgency follows Beijing’s export restrictions on rare earth elements last year, temporarily eased under a deal between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    Underlining its seriousness, the Trump administration this week launched a $12 billion national critical mineral stockpile. The EU’s draft mirrors this approach, suggesting both sides could coordinate stockpiling and rapid response measures to supply disruptions.

    Key pillars of the EU proposal include cooperation on securing supply chains, developing international premium markets, and sharing information to boost market transparency. It also envisions exemptions from mutual export restrictions, collaboration on innovation and research, and the creation of a joint EU-U.S. response group to manage potential shortages.

    Despite concerns over the pace of negotiations, EU officials called the talks “vital to diversify our supplies away from any single country,” indicating that the transatlantic allies are increasingly aligned in reshaping critical mineral dependencies.

  • Allied Nations to Meet in Washington on Critical Minerals Strategy as De-Risking from China Accelerates

    Allied Nations to Meet in Washington on Critical Minerals Strategy as De-Risking from China Accelerates

    Ministers from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and New Zealand will gather in Washington this week to discuss the creation of a closer strategic alliance on critical minerals, as governments intensify efforts to reduce dependence on China-dominated supply chains.

    The meeting, convened by United States Department of State and led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will also include around 20 countries such as G7 members, India, South Korea, Mexico and potentially Argentina. It marks the second such summit in less than a month and is widely seen as part of a broader attempt to repair strained transatlantic relations and coordinate non-China sourcing strategies for minerals essential to energy transition, defence and advanced manufacturing.

    Australia underscored the urgency of the talks last week by announcing plans to establish a A$1.2 billion strategic reserve of critical minerals considered vulnerable to supply disruption from China. Canberra’s move follows Beijing’s decision last April to restrict rare earth exports in response to trade measures introduced under US President Donald Trump.

    A key issue on the Washington agenda will be whether the United States should guarantee minimum prices for critical minerals and rare earths to support investment in alternative supply chains. Reports this week that Washington may have ruled out such guarantees triggered a sell-off in Australian mining stocks, highlighting the sensitivity of the sector to policy signals. Australia has positioned itself as a major alternative supplier to China and plans to stockpile minerals such as antimony and gallium regardless of US pricing decisions.

    “Strengthening critical mineral supply chains with international partners is vital for the US economy, national security, technological leadership, and a resilient energy future,” the State Department said ahead of the summit.

    The European Union is expected to use the meeting to push for progress on broader trade irritants, including US tariffs on steel derivatives. EU officials argue that new levies on products containing steel, from bicycles to wind turbines, undermine trust following a tariff deal agreed last year. Brussels hopes the talks could pave the way for a joint statement that would signal a shift toward closer coordination with Washington on de-risking from China rather than recurring trade disputes.

    The European Commission has repeatedly warned that Europe remains highly exposed to Chinese supply chains, particularly for rare earth permanent magnets. According to Commission officials, the EU consumes around 20,000 tonnes of permanent magnets annually, with roughly 17,000–18,000 tonnes sourced from China and only about 1,000 tonnes produced domestically.

    Japan, which has long maintained strategic mineral stockpiles to guard against supply disruptions, is often cited by policymakers as a model for resilience. European and UK officials say closer alignment with partners such as Japan and Australia will be essential if Western economies are to secure stable access to minerals critical for everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to fighter jets and renewable energy systems.

  • EU Unlikely to Cut Critical Minerals Dependence on China by 2030, Auditors Warn

    EU Unlikely to Cut Critical Minerals Dependence on China by 2030, Auditors Warn

    The European Union is unlikely to diversify its supply of critical raw materials in time to meet its climate and industrial targets, leaving the bloc heavily dependent on China well into the next decade, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA).

    Despite the signing of 14 major trade agreements and sustained diversification efforts led by the European Commission, EU auditors concluded that the EU27 is “unlikely to succeed in time” in securing alternative sources of minerals essential for clean technologies such as electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines and solar panels.

    China remains the dominant supplier. The ECA report shows that the EU sources 97% of its magnesium imports from China, alongside large shares of gallium (71%), germanium (45%), baryte (44%), arsenic (39%), graphite (40%) and tungsten (31%). Magnesium is a key input for hydrogen electrolysers, while gallium and germanium are vital for semiconductors and renewable technologies.

    “Without critical raw materials, there will be no energy transition, no competitiveness, and no strategic autonomy,” said Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, warning that the EU is “dangerously dependent” on a small group of external suppliers.

    While countries such as Chile (lithium) and Turkey (boron) are also important partners, China remains unrivalled in both mining output and refining capacity. According to EU data, China controls around 60% of global production of critical raw materials and about 90% of global refining capacity. The European Parliament estimates that the EU depends on China for roughly 90% of its raw materials and 98% of rare-earth magnets.

    The pending Mercosur trade agreement, covering Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, could help diversify supply once approved by the European Parliament. EU lawmakers are also debating whether to revive a stalled trade and minerals agreement with the United States.

    Speaking in December, EU Executive Vice President Stéphane Séjourné acknowledged the bloc’s raw material dependence and said dialogue with China “remains essential,” even as Brussels rolls out new monitoring measures and prepares to launch a European raw materials centre to coordinate supply, stockpiling and market oversight.

    Auditors noted that Beijing has increasingly used its dominance as geopolitical leverage. Export restrictions on rare earths in recent years, including in 2025, disrupted EU industries. Data from the European Chamber of Commerce in China shows that Chinese authorities approved only 19 out of 141 licence applications submitted by European companies in mid-2025.

    The report also questions whether the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), adopted in 2024, can realistically meet its targets. The law sets non-binding goals for 2030, including 10% domestic extraction, 40% local processing and 25% recycling, while limiting reliance on any single non-EU supplier to 65%. Auditors say these targets are difficult to achieve given China’s grip on processing for materials such as magnesium, gallium and all rare earth elements.

    The ECA highlights recycling as an underused lever. Ten critical materials needed for the energy transition are not recycled at all in the EU, and existing targets do little to incentivise recycling of specific materials. The auditors recommend binding recycling targets, improved waste collection rules and easier movement of critical-material waste within the bloc to improve the commercial viability of recycling.

    “China’s vertical integration, scale and low costs give it a structural advantage,” Pentus-Rosimannus said, adding that without stronger action on recycling, partnerships and strategic projects, the EU risks falling short of its green and industrial ambitions.

  • Wartime Disruptions Push Tungsten Market Toward China and Turn Central Asia Into a Strategic Alternative

    Wartime Disruptions Push Tungsten Market Toward China and Turn Central Asia Into a Strategic Alternative

    Tungsten has emerged as one of the focal points of today’s geo-economic competition, as the disruption of traditional supply routes has reshaped the global market and intensified the search for alternative sources. The full-scale crisis that began in 2022 exposed the fragility of critical mineral supply chains, particularly for metals essential to defence and advanced manufacturing.

    Before the war in Ukraine, a significant share of global tungsten supply came from Russia and China. Sanctions imposed on Moscow effectively halted Russian exports, forcing the closure of several mines and removing Russian material from Western markets. As a result, global supply became even more concentrated in China, deepening Western dependence on a single dominant producer.

    The conflict also triggered a surge in defence production across NATO countries, driving higher demand for tungsten used in ammunition and military equipment. In response, G7 states agreed in 2023 on a mineral security agenda aimed at diversifying supply and countering monopolistic practices in critical raw materials markets. The United States moved particularly quickly, setting regulatory targets to eliminate tungsten purchases from China and Russia for defence needs by 2027. Pentagon procurement plans alone envisaged demand exceeding 2,000 tonnes in 2025. At the same time, Canada’s Almonty Industries accelerated the restart of South Korea’s Sangdong mine to supply the U.S. market.

    China, which controls up to 83% of global tungsten production and more than half of confirmed reserves, has adjusted its strategy as relations with the West have deteriorated. After years of price dumping and oversupply that pushed competitors out of the market, Beijing tightened export controls. From February 2025, tungsten exports became subject to licensing by China’s Ministry of Commerce. While not a formal ban, the policy has increased supply risks. Chinese tungsten exports fell by nearly a quarter in the first half of 2025, while prices surged to record levels, with ammonium paratungstate exceeding $60,000 per tonne.

    These shifts have pushed investors and governments to look more closely at deposits outside China, particularly in Central Asia. Chinese companies, seeking to retain influence, have also stepped up overseas resource investments. In Kazakhstan, a new tungsten processing plant backed by Chinese capital began operations in mid-2025, with an annual capacity of around 3.3 million tonnes of ore. Despite this, nearly all of Kazakhstan’s tungsten concentrates continue to be exported to China.

    The return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025 added fresh momentum to the scramble for strategic minerals. The new U.S. administration elevated critical metals to a foreign-policy priority and renewed its focus on Central Asia. In November 2025, Washington and Astana announced agreements to jointly develop the North Katpar and Upper Kairakty tungsten deposits in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda region. With resources estimated at 755 million tonnes of ore and around 854,000 tonnes of tungsten trioxide, Upper Kairakty is considered the largest tungsten deposit in the world.

    A joint venture was established in which U.S.-based Cove Capital holds a 70% stake and Kazakhstan’s Tau-Ken Samruk 30%. The project targets initial production of about 12,000 tonnes of tungsten per year, equivalent to roughly 15% of current global output, with a mine life exceeding 50 years. If fully realized, Kazakhstan could emerge as the world’s second-largest tungsten producer after China.

    Beyond Kazakhstan, other Central Asian states are also seeking to position themselves within new supply chains. Uzbekistan has begun engaging Western investors in rare earths and other critical minerals, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, though smaller in scale, hold geologically significant deposits. For the region, this represents an opportunity to diversify economies, attract capital and increase geopolitical relevance amid a global reconfiguration of mineral supply.

    Despite these developments, the tungsten market remains far from multipolar. China continues to dominate mining, processing and pricing, and Western economies are likely to remain partially dependent on Chinese supply in the near term. Nevertheless, the foundations of an alternative supply architecture are being laid, with Central Asia emerging as a key pillar in efforts to rebalance the global tungsten market.

  • France’s Carester and Malaysia’s Malaco Join Forces on Rare Earth Processing

    France’s Carester and Malaysia’s Malaco Join Forces on Rare Earth Processing

    French rare earth technology company Carester and Malaysia’s Malaco Mining Group have agreed to cooperate on the development of a rare earth separation plant and to explore broader collaboration in rare earth mining, marking a new step in international efforts to diversify critical mineral supply chains.

    The partnership, currently at a pilot stage, will focus on building a rare earth separation facility in Malaysia. According to Benjamin Gallezot, adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron on strategic minerals, the agreement предусматривает передачу технологий Malaco, а также поддержку в вопросах экологического соответствия и соблюдения международных стандартов.

    The project comes as Western economies intensify efforts to reduce dependence on China, which dominates global rare earth production and processing. Rare earth elements are essential inputs for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, smartphones and other high-tech applications.

    Malaysia holds an estimated 16.1 million tonnes of rare earth resources but has so far lacked the technological capability to mine and process them domestically. Cooperation with Carester is expected to help close this gap, particularly in separation technologies required before rare earths can be used in permanent magnets and clean technology manufacturing.

    Gallezot said Malaco is already in discussions with several European magnet manufacturers, though specific companies were not named. He also noted interest from Japan, suggesting the project could attract a wider group of international partners.

    In parallel, Gallezot said G7 countries plan to engage with partners outside the group on critical minerals during meetings this year, underlining the growing role of international cooperation in securing diversified and resilient supply chains.

  • Kazakhstan Emerges as Key Tungsten Supplier Amid Global Shortage

    Kazakhstan Emerges as Key Tungsten Supplier Amid Global Shortage

    A supply deficit in the global tungsten market in 2025, triggered by tighter production controls in China, has pushed the United States and other international investors to seek alternative sources, placing Kazakhstan’s tungsten reserves firmly in the spotlight.

    According to data from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction cited by LS, the country holds a significant and geographically diverse tungsten resource base. In northern Kazakhstan, four deposits are currently in operation, with combined balance reserves of about 77,100 tonnes of tungsten trioxide. Central Kazakhstan represents the core of the country’s resource potential, hosting 14 deposits, including 10 with balance reserves totaling around 1.69 million tonnes. Major sites such as Karaoba, North Katpar, Verkhne-Kairakty, Akshatau, and Batystau have already been transferred to subsoil users.

    Eastern Kazakhstan accounts for a smaller share, with two deposits holding an estimated 4,000 tonnes of off-balance reserves, while southern Kazakhstan contains more than 230,000 tonnes of balance reserves concentrated at the Bogutinskoye and Karagailyaktas deposits, both of which are in industrial operation.

    Growing international interest has also been driven by joint projects involving foreign capital. US-based Cove Capital, together with Tau-Ken Samruk, is preparing to begin development at the North Katpar and Verkhne-Kairakty deposits, which together hold approximately 410,000 tonnes of tungsten resources under the JORC classification.

    China continues to dominate the global tungsten market, accounting for about 80% of world production. However, export restrictions introduced in February 2025 significantly reduced Chinese tungsten exports by 20% year on year, while imports into China surged by more than 58%. These shifts have reshaped trade flows.

    Data from the Shanghai Metals Market show that Kazakhstan became China’s largest supplier of tungsten concentrates in 2025. Shipments from Kazakhstan reached 6,900 tonnes during the year, representing roughly one-third of China’s total imports. A substantial share of these volumes came from the Bogutinskoye deposit, which was brought into operation in mid-2025.

    As supply constraints persist and demand for tungsten grows in strategic industries, Kazakhstan is increasingly viewed as a critical player in the global tungsten market and a potential counterbalance to China’s dominance.