Islamabad: Renowned US companies have pledged a substantial investment of five hundred million dollars in Pakistan’s critical minerals sector, marking the first phase of this significant venture. This development was announced following a high-level meeting between a US delegation, including representatives from United States Strategic Metals (USSM) and Mota-Engil, and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting was attended by notable figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and other federal ministers. The delegation’s visit aimed to explore opportunities for expanding mining operations and assess the potential for value addition in Pakistan’s mineral resources, along with the development of supporting infrastructure.
During their visit, the delegation engaged in discussions with key officials, including the Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Minister of Petroleum, and Minister of Commerce. They were briefed on Pakistan’s vast mineral reserves, which include copper, gold, and rare earth elements. The companies expressed their readiness to invest in establishing value-addition facilities, enhancing mineral processing capacity, and developing large-scale infrastructure projects linked to the mining sector.
In this context, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, focusing on the development and processing of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, and logistics services. The Frontier Works Organization entered into a landmark MoU with United States Strategic Metals, a leading processor, recycler, and miner based in St. Louis, Missouri. This agreement sets a framework for collaboration across a range of critical minerals essential for the defense, aerospace, and technology industries.
The partnership will commence immediately with the export of readily available minerals from Pakistan, such as antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements. This cooperation aims to lay the foundation for establishing a USSM proprietary, highly flexible poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan, dedicated to producing intermediate and finished products for the growing US market.
This collaboration strengthens the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the United States, unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth, technology transfer, and job creation. The next steps include forming dedicated teams to explore Pakistan’s vast resource base, identifying critical minerals for immediate export, and building a long-term partnership in exploration, extraction, and processing, with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Additionally, the National Logistics Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU with Mota-Engil Group, a global leader in engineering and construction. Mota-Engil is actively exploring opportunities to expand its footprint across West Asia, aligning with government visions and private sector initiatives, with a focus on job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable development.
The visit of the delegation and the signing of the MoUs represent a milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to attract global investment in the mining and logistics sectors, paving the way for economic growth and development in the region.