Europe is hunting for Central Asian metals. Uzbekistan wants to keep the profits inside the country

Europe is searching for metals in Central Asia. Uzbekistan intends to keep the profits inside the country

The European Union is increasing its focus on Central Asia's critical metals and minerals, viewing the region as one of the potential sources of raw materials for its digital and "green" transformation. At the same time, the discussion is increasingly not just about access to deposits, but also about building new production chains — from geological exploration and extraction to processing and manufacturing high-value-added products.

According to Shakhnoza Kodirova, Head of Department at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), the EU's interest is linked to a desire to diversify supplies of critical resources and reduce dependence on a narrow circle of suppliers.

For the European economy, this is no longer just a trade issue, but a factor in the long-term sustainability of its industry. Critical minerals are needed for the development of digital technologies, energy, electric transport, and other areas of the "green" economy.

Against this backdrop, Central Asia is gaining new significance for Europe — not only as a source of mineral raw materials, but also as a potential platform for their deep processing and the manufacture of high-value-added products.

The growing role of critical mineral resources is also noticeable on the political agenda. According to the expert, cooperation topics in this area are being increasingly raised at the "European Union — Central Asia" summits, as well as within the framework of the European Global Gateway initiative.

At the same time, political agreements are gradually turning into concrete investment projects.

Among such examples are the investments of the German company HMS Bergbau AG in lithium exploration in Kazakhstan and the agreement of the French company Orano with the state enterprise "Navoiyuran" on uranium mining in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Europe's presence in the region is not limited to mining. Cooperation touches upon industrial, energy, and transport infrastructure, without which it is impossible to form complete production chains.

For instance, German banks have directed 146 million euros to the copper smelter project of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex. The European Union is also helping to modernize the energy and transport infrastructure of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

For Uzbekistan, the task is to avoid remaining merely a supplier of ore and concentrates in this new system, and to gradually become a manufacturer of products demanded by the global high-tech industry.

To this end, a production chain is being formed in the country, covering the entire cycle — from geological exploration and extraction to processing and manufacturing finished products.

In parallel, research centers and R&D parks are being established, aimed at introducing new technologies, developing innovations, and fostering a closer connection between science and industry.

In essence, this is an attempt to change the very economic logic of the raw materials sector: not just to extract resources and export them, but to maximize the value of the products within the country.

Such an approach could provide Uzbekistan with a stronger position amid intensifying competition for critical minerals.

If the country succeeds in building a full production cycle, it will be able to count not only on revenues from extraction, but also on a higher share of the value created at subsequent stages — processing, production of materials, components, and finished products.