KARACHI: Pakistan has officially begun its $500 million partnership with the United States, shipping its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals (USSM), a Missouri-based company, according to a news report.
This delivery marks a significant step in the growing economic collaboration between the two nations, with the shipment arriving on Thursday.
In September 2025, Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and USSM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan, aimed at bolstering the supply of critical minerals to the United States. The partnership is seen as an opportunity to enhance bilateral relations, with both parties committed to fostering economic ties and mutual cooperation.
Stacy W. Hastie, CEO of USSM, highlighted the shipment as the first of many in efforts to supply critical minerals to the U.S. and support national interests. The initial shipment included antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium.
This deal comes amid a broader push by the US to strengthen its domestic critical minerals supply chain, reducing reliance on China. In August 2025, the US Department of the Interior added new commodities, including copper and silver, to its critical minerals list, emphasizing their importance for national security and economic stability.
Additionally, the US Department of Energy is planning to allocate nearly $1 billion in funding to support the mining, processing, and manufacturing of critical minerals and materials, as part of President Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” initiative. This effort seeks to bolster domestic supply chains for energy, defense, and industrial purposes.
The partnership between Pakistan and the US is poised to enhance both countries’ competitiveness in the global market for critical minerals, while offering Pakistan an opportunity to strengthen its position in the growing energy and minerals sector.
