Pakistan, home to one of the largest precious metals and rare earth mineral reserves in the world, delivered its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals (USSM) in the United States.
The shipment marks a milestone in U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship as well as Pakistan’s entry into the global minerals supply chain, with the potential to generate billions in revenues.
The key South Asian country’s natural resources are estimated at around $ 6 trillion.
In a landmark for bilateral cooperation, Pakistan has successfully delivered its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals (USSM) in the United States.
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“This achievement inaugurates a $500 million partnership framework, signed earlier this month, and signals the beginning of a new chapter in the Pakistan–U.S. strategic partnership,” USSM said in a statement.
Pakistan and the US Strategic Metals inked a landmark agreement on September 8, 2025, attended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The agreement aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision to strengthen alternative supply chains for critical inputs essential to national security, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, an announcement said.
“Today, Pakistan steps forward as a credible and trusted partner in building secure and diversified supply chains for the future of our two nations,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted.
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The agreements create a framework for joint development of the entire mineral value chain—including exploration, beneficiation, concentrate production, and eventual establishment of refineries in Pakistan.
In this first shipment, Pakistan has indigenously sourced and prepared antimony, copper concentrate, rare earth elements with neodymium and praseodymium.
The partnership represents immense strategic and economic significance for both the United States and Pakistan.
“For Pakistan: Entry into the global minerals supply chain, with the potential to generate billions in revenues, large-scale job creation, and technology transfer. Pakistan natural resources are estimated at around 6 trillion USD making it one of the largest precious metals and rare earth minerals on the world,” USSM said.
“For the United States: A strategic safeguard ensuring resilience and independence from external monopolies, while securing vital inputs for its defense, energy, and high-tech sectors.”
Stacy W. Hastie, CEO of USSM stated “We see this as the first step in our exciting journey together with the Frontier Works Organization of Pakistan, to provide critical minerals to the United States and bolster economic trade and friendship between our two countries.”
With this first delivery completed and a multi-phase investment framework underway, Pakistan is now positioned as a rising force in the global critical minerals economy—and a long-term partner to the United States.
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Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
