Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan is set to attract nearly $500 million in fresh investment from the United States for the development of its critical minerals sector, following the signing of two key agreements with American and global mining companies.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed on Monday that the accords were signed during the visit of a senior US delegation comprising representatives from United States Strategic Metals (USSM) and Mota-Engil, an international mining and infrastructure firm.
The Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Pakistan’s largest miner of strategic minerals, signed a landmark MoU with USSM, a Missouri-based company that specializes in mining, processing, and recycling of critical materials. The partnership will focus on antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements, all considered essential for defense, aerospace, and advanced technology industries.
Under the framework, Pakistan will begin immediate exports of select minerals while working toward the establishment of USSM’s poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan. Once operational, the facility will manufacture both intermediate and finished products for the American market, strengthening supply chains in sectors prioritized by the US Department of Energy.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who witnessed the signing alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and senior cabinet members, hailed the development as a step toward “unlocking Pakistan’s vast mineral wealth.” The US delegation also held separate sessions with the Army Chief and key ministers to review opportunities in copper, gold, and rare earth deposits.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the initiative is expected to drive job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable growth, with strict attention to environmental safeguards. It also noted that future plans include forming specialized teams to identify high-potential mineral resources, expanding exploration efforts, and exploring innovative financing options, including tokenization of mineral assets, to draw further international investment.
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In a separate deal, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) signed an MoU with Portugal-based Mota-Engil Group to pursue long-term cooperation in construction and infrastructure. The firm expressed its intention to align with Pakistan’s development needs while expanding its regional footprint through local employment, technology sharing, and eco-friendly practices.
The government described the agreements as a “milestone” in Islamabad’s bid to deepen economic engagement with Washington and attract global partners to its mining and logistics sectors.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
