Central Asia Emerges as Key Hub for Critical Minerals Supply
US officials and mining industry leaders are convening in Astana, Kazakhstan, to advance investments in Central Asia’s critical minerals sector, aiming to reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains.
The Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress (AMM-2026), taking place on June 11-12, is a significant milestone for the C5+1 Dialogue, which seeks to deepen economic, educational, and political cooperation between the United States and Central Asian countries. The congress aims to transform prior framework agreements into actionable investment projects in the minerals sector.
Kazakhstan is positioning itself as an investor-friendly destination by offering ownership structures that allow foreign investors to retain majority stakes in mining projects. A notable example is the tungsten deposit development deal with the American consortium Kaz Resources Inc., which holds 70% ownership, while the Kazakh government maintains 30%.
Senior representatives from the US Export-Import Bank and the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) are part of the US delegation, alongside prominent mining executives such as Robert Friedland, founder of Ivanhoe Mines, and Mark Cutifani, former CEO of Anglo American. Their presence underscores Washington’s strategic intent to diversify supply sources of critical minerals away from China.
The Trump administration, since its return to power in early 2025, has prioritized expanding access to Central Asia’s mineral wealth as a key element of its foreign economic policy. State-backed agencies are actively facilitating risk mitigation for investments in the region’s mining industry.
Kazakhstan’s transition from a neutral transit territory to a proactive participant in reliable mineral supply chains aligns with a broader global realignment. This shift responds to an institutional modernization towards international standards and the strong Western demand for critical minerals free from Chinese market dominance.
Experts emphasize that Central Asia’s vast mineral resources, coupled with improving geopolitical and business conditions, make it a growing focal point in the global minerals supply chain battle, especially amid ongoing concerns about overreliance on Chinese sources.
The outcomes of the Astana conference are expected to set the tone for future collaborations, investments, and policy measures designed to establish Central Asia as a stable and significant player in the global critical minerals market.