Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) has signed a $500 million investment deal with US Strategic Metals (USSM), a leading processor, recycler, and miner based in Missouri.
The deal establishes a framework for collaboration across a range of critical minerals essential for the defense, aerospace, and technology industries, the state-run news agency APP reported.
A high-level US delegation, including representatives from US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Mota-Engil, renowned global companies in the mining and infrastructure sectors, met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Monday to discuss mining prospects in Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and federal ministers were also present during the meeting.
The US delegation is visiting Pakistan to explore opportunities for expanding mining operations and assess the potential for adding value to mineral resources while developing supporting infrastructure.
The delegation held high-level meetings with the Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Minister of Petroleum, and Minister of Commerce, where they were briefed on Pakistan’s vast mineral reserves, including copper, gold, and rare earth elements.
The visiting US companies expressed readiness to invest in establishing value-addition facilities within the country, enhancing mineral processing capacity, and developing large-scale infrastructure projects linked to the mining sector.
Two MoUs focusing on the development and processing of critical minerals, including rare earth elements (REEs), and logistics services were signed between the two governments.
The Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Pakistan’s largest miner of critical minerals, signed a landmark MoU with US Strategic Metals (USSM), a leading processor, recycler, and miner based in St. Louis, Missouri.
The partnership will begin with the export of readily available minerals from Pakistan, including antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements. This cooperation lays the foundation for the establishment of a USSM proprietary, flexible poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan, which will produce intermediate and finished products dedicated to meeting the growing demand of the U.S. market. The first phase of this deal is expected to involve approximately $500 million of investment into Pakistan’s critical minerals sector.
This collaboration strengthens the longstanding bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the United States, unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth, technology transfer, and job creation.
The next steps for the MoU include forming dedicated teams to explore the full potential of Pakistan’s vast resource base, identifying critical minerals for immediate export, and building a long-term partnership in exploration, extraction, and processing. Sustainability, profitability, and environmental responsibility will be prioritized to ensure mutual benefits.
In addition, both sides will explore innovative financing and digital solutions, such as tokenization of critical minerals, enabling global investors to participate in Pakistan’s mineral wealth and further accelerating transparency, liquidity, and value creation across the sector.
Similarly, the National Logistics Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU with Mota-Engil Group, a global leader in engineering and construction, which is seeking to expand its presence across Asia. The current survey of opportunities in Pakistan aims to identify priority markets where Mota-Engil can align with government visions and private sector initiatives.
Speaking about the MOUs signing, US Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan Natalie Baker said, “This signing is yet another example of the strength of the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship that will benefit both countries.”
The US Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement that Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Zach Harkenrider accompanied a delegation led by US Strategic Metals (USSM) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) at Prime Minister House on Monday.
It added USSM, based in the U.S. state of Missouri, is focused on producing and recycling critical minerals, which the US Department of Energy has defined as essential in a variety of technologies related to advanced manufacturing and energy production.
“The Trump administration has made the forging of such deals a key priority given the importance of critical mineral resources to American security and prosperity. We look forward to seeing future agreements between U.S. companies and their counterparts in the critical minerals and mining sector in Pakistan,” Baker added.
The visit of the US delegation and the signing of these MoUs mark a milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to attract global investment in the mining and logistics sectors.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal highlighted that the agreement would offer US businesses opportunities to invest in mining projects in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, home to major mining sites like Reko Diq.
The signing of this MoU follows a series of positive developments in US-Pakistan relations, including trade agreements aimed at reducing tariffs and fostering investment.
The collaboration aligns with recent remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed interest in working with Pakistan on critical minerals and hydrocarbons.
