According to PR Newswire, Pakistan has prepared its first shipment of domestically sourced critical minerals, including antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium. This milestone highlights Pakistan’s vast natural resource potential, estimated at nearly USD 6 trillion, placing the country among the world’s largest holders of precious metals and rare minerals.
Stace W. Haislip, CEO of US Strategic Metals (USSM), stated, “We consider this the first step in our remarkable journey with Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to supply critical minerals to the United States, while fostering economic trade and friendly relations between the two countries.”
Last month, Pakistan and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth USD 500 million to strengthen cooperation in the critical minerals sector — a significant step toward deepening their economic and strategic partnership. The agreement was signed between USSM and FWO.
Natalie Baker, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, said the signing reflects another example of the strong U.S.–Pakistan bilateral relationship that will benefit both nations.
USSM, based in the U.S. state of Missouri, focuses on the production and recycling of critical minerals. The U.S. Department of Energy has designated these minerals as essential for advanced manufacturing and various energy production technologies.
