Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a significant effort to bolster the United States' control over critical minerals, Cove Capital, a mining investment firm from the U.S., is collaborating with Kazakhstan's state mining company, JSC Tau-Ken Samruk. This partnership aims to develop one of the globe’s largest tungsten deposits, with the official announcement set for Thursday by the Trump administration, heralding a new chapter in economic relations between Washington and Astana.

The deal stipulates that Cove Capital will take a 70% stake in the joint venture, handling global sales, while Tau-Ken Samruk will maintain a 30% share. They will focus on developing the Northern Katpar and Upper Kairakty projects located in eastern Kazakhstan, with total projected costs reaching $1.1 billion.

To support the financing of this project, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has provided a $900 million letter of interest, highlighting Washington’s commitment to ensuring a stable and non-Chinese supply of tungsten.

Tungsten, identified as a critical mineral by the U.S. government, is essential for the manufacturing of hardened steel used in defense, technology, and manufacturing industries. The U.S. last mined tungsten domestically in 2015, relying heavily on China, which currently dominates global production. This agreement will ensure that the output from Kazakhstan focuses on meeting U.S. governmental and commercial demands, thus diminishing dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Construction on the mining sites is slated to commence within the next two years, with production and refining operations anticipated to be in place approximately three and a half years thereafter. The partnership also represents Washington's growing focus on the vast untapped mineral potential in Central Asia, furthering its strategy to enhance regional connections via trade and investment.

During the C5+1 Business Conference in Washington, attended by high-level officials from the U.S. and Kazakhstan, this initiative was termed a “generational advancement” towards achieving mineral independence and industrial strength. This tungsten venture now serves as a pivotal element in fostering revitalized collaboration between the two nations, integrating resource security with diplomatic initiatives.

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