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Uzbekistan’s critical & rare-earth minerals: deposits, data and deals
The energy transition runs on minerals — copper and lithium for grids and batteries, rare-earth elements for the permanent magnets in EV motors and wind turbines, and a range of “critical” metals for electronics and defence. Uzbekistan holds a remarkable share of them and is moving fast to develop and process them at home. CAPPA connects international capital to these projects — from geology to financial close.
What Uzbekistan holds
Officials say the country contains nearly every mineral type found globally. It is a top-10 world producer of uranium, rhenium and tellurium, a top-15 holder of copper reserves, and in the global top-20 for molybdenum and cadmium. More than 30 rare metals have been identified; the national programme targets 28 critical elements.
| Mineral | Uzbekistan’s standing |
|---|---|
| Uranium | Top-10 global producer |
| Rhenium | Top-10 global producer |
| Tellurium | Top-10 global producer |
| Copper | Top-15 reserves |
| Molybdenum | Top-20 reserves |
| Cadmium | Top-20 reserves |
| Gold & Silver | Major producer (Muruntau, Central Kyzylkum) |
| Tungsten | Priority deposit — national programme |
| Lithium | Priority deposit — national programme |
| Titanium | Priority deposit — national programme |
| Vanadium | Priority deposit — national programme |
| Magnesium, manganese, nickel, cobalt | Identified reserves |
| Tantalum, niobium, REE group | Identified / under exploration |
The geology & the numbers
Resources are managed by the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology (with the State Committee for Geology / Goskomgeo and Uzbekgeology). A 2018 official estimate put the country’s total mineral potential at about $5.7 trillion, of which over $1 trillion sits in explored, developed deposits. President Mirziyoyev has framed natural resources at up to $79,000 per person. Around $200 million a year goes into geological exploration, and — for the first time — the state has opened 50+ deposits to international investors. Key belts include the Central Kyzylkum (Navoi region), already home to world-class gold mining.
The national programme ($2.6 billion)
In March 2025, President Mirziyoyev announced a $2.6 billion initiative to deliver 76 critical-mineral projects in three years, spanning 28 elements, beginning with deposits of tungsten, lithium, titanium and vanadium. The aim is not to export raw ore but to build processing and higher-value output inside the country.
Agreements reached — and with whom
| Partner | Agreement | When |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | Strategic Partnership / MoU on critical raw materials value chains — signed by EC Executive VP Valdis Dombrovskis and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry & Trade Laziz Kudratov. | 2024 |
| United States | Department of State MoU with Uzbekistan; C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue; followed by a US–Uzbekistan critical-minerals pact. | 2023–2026 |
| United Kingdom | Stated cooperation on critical raw materials. | 2024 |
| KU Leuven SOLVOMET (Belgium) ↔ Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex | R&D collaboration on rare-earth processing, announced at EU Critical Raw Materials Week 2025. | from Jan 2026 |
How CAPPA helps
We apply the same model to minerals that we use in energy: connecting international capital with projects, and helping with deal structuring, offtake agreements and project finance — together with the legal and partnering side — so a project moves from a resource in the ground to financial close and product to market.
Sources
EEAS (EU–Uzbekistan strategic partnership), Gazeta.uz and Times of Central Asia (the $2.6bn programme), Global Trade Review (“Uzbekistan: the next critical minerals hub?”), Metal Tech News (US–Uzbekistan pact), and EU Critical Raw Materials Week 2025 (KU Leuven SOLVOMET). Figures are official estimates and announced targets, subject to change.
Related
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