Kazakhstan and US Secure $1.1 Billion Critical Minerals Deals

The United States and Kazakhstan established new strategic economic ties through a series of agreements signed in Washington, D.C., on November 6 and 7, 2025. During an official visit by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Kazakhstan's Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals cooperation. The agreement aims to secure reliable sources of rare earth minerals and bolster US supply chains to decrease reliance on China.

Following the initial MOU, the two nations finalized a major investment deal on the sidelines of the 10th C5+1 diplomatic summit hosted by President Donald Trump. Kazakhstan's national mining company, Tau-Ken Samruk, and the US-based firm Crescent Cove Advisors signed an agreement to jointly develop the Northern Katpar and Upper Kayrakty tungsten deposit projects in eastern Kazakhstan. This project represents an investment of approximately 1.1 billion US dollars and targets some of the world's largest tungsten deposits.

President Tokayev also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss expanding commercial trade, investment, and energy security. The diplomatic push emphasizes a desire for constructive dialogue and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries to stabilize critical mineral markets.