Central Asia’s Rare Earth Elements Potential

Central Asian countries are emerging as key players in global competition thanks to their potential in rare earth elements and critical minerals.

- With vast yet largely unexplored mineral deposits, the region is positioning itself as an essential source of rare earth elements and critical minerals that are vital for defense, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

- The recent C5+1 summit in Washington is considered to have placed the region’s mineral wealth at the center of U.S.–Central Asia cooperation.

Seyit Kurt / Burç Eruygur — As prominent global actors such as the United States and China seek secure supply sources for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and modern defense systems, Central Asian countries are rapidly emerging as a new front in the global race for rare earth elements and critical minerals.

These minerals, crucial for electric vehicles, wind turbines, semiconductors, aerospace components, and advanced weapons systems, have become strategic assets amid strained supply chains and the difficulty of scaling up production.

Rare earth elements are now at the heart of global competition, reshaping geopolitical priorities among major powers.

Long regarded as part of Moscow’s sphere of influence, Central Asia, with its untapped reserves and strategic corridors, is drawing growing diplomatic and economic engagement and is becoming a significant arena for geopolitical competition.

For Washington, reducing dependence on China, which dominates global rare earth supply chains, has become a national priority. This effort, which accelerated during the presidency of Donald Trump, helped bring Central Asia into Washington’s strategic calculations.

This shift was clearly seen at the latest C5+1 summit held at the White House on November 6, where leaders of the five Central Asian countries gathered and rare earth elements and critical minerals were central to the agenda. During the meeting, Kazakhstan and the United States also signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals.

Central Asian countries are known for hosting a wide and diverse range of rare earth elements. These deposits stretch from Kazakhstan’s vast mineral belts to smaller yet geologically rich areas in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, while many areas remain unexplored.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan appears to have the largest and most advanced rare earth element potential in Central Asia, although the region remains insufficiently explored and much of the data is still at an early stage.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the country’s rare earth deposits are concentrated in several major geological belts, and Kazakhstan also stands out as a global powerhouse in uranium production.

According to a 2025 report by the British Geological Survey, the country produced about 40% of the world’s uranium in 2023. Kazakhstan also supplies around 25% of U.S. uranium demand and hosts more than 600 American companies.

Reports indicate that U.S. assessments have identified 384 critical raw material sources across 160 locations in the country.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, a major player in Central Asia’s rare earth sector, is also the world’s fifth-largest uranium producer.

According to this year’s report from The Hague Research Institute, Tashkent is rapidly emerging as a regional mineral hub, with more than 30 mineral types found across the country.

Although only 20% of its territory has been explored, the Caspian Policy Center estimates Uzbekistan’s mineral resource potential at approximately USD 5.7 trillion. At least 14 rare earth deposits are reported to have been confirmed.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan hosts around 20 known rare earth deposits, and its mining sector includes more than 16,000 active mines and sites.

Foreign interest in Kyrgyzstan’s resources remains strong, with companies from Canada and Singapore continuing exploration activities at sites such as Choin-Kaindy, Kutessay II, and Kalesay.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan possesses significant antimony reserves, one of the world’s most strategically essential minerals used in defense technologies and industrial alloys. Estimates suggest the country holds nearly one-fifth of global antimony reserves.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon stated at the White House that Tajikistan ranks second globally in antimony production.

However, Tajikistan’s mineral wealth extends far beyond antimony, with more than 800 mineral and precious metal deposits identified nationwide.

Turkmenistan

Although oil and natural gas dominate Turkmenistan’s economy, the country also contributes to the region’s critical mineral supply.

According to the consulting firm SFA Oxford, Turkmenistan holds significant reserves of sulfur, bromine, and iodine used in chemical production, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy technologies.

It drew attention that during President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Washington on November 6, the two countries discussed expanding cooperation in the critical minerals sector.

Anadolu Agency