Islamabad- A high-level United States delegation comprising representatives of United States Strategic Metals (USSM) and Mota-Engil Group, two globally renowned companies in the mining and infrastructure sectors, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today at the Prime Minister’s House.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and senior Federal Ministers.
The delegation’s visit aims to explore opportunities for expansion of mining operations in Pakistan and assess potential for value addition in mineral resources and supporting infrastructure. During their engagements with the Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Minister of Petroleum, and Minister of Commerce, the delegation was briefed on Pakistan’s extensive mineral reserves, including copper, gold, and rare earth elements (REEs).
Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, signaling a new era of collaboration:
1. FWO–USSM Agreement:
The Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Pakistan’s largest miner of critical minerals, signed a landmark MoU with USSM, a leading U.S.-based processor and recycler of critical minerals.
The partnership will begin with immediate export of minerals such as antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements, scaling towards establishment of a USSM proprietary poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan.
The first phase of investment is valued at approximately US$500 million, focusing on exploration, extraction, and processing of critical minerals vital for the defense, aerospace, and technology sectors.
The cooperation emphasizes sustainability, technology transfer, job creation, and environmental responsibility, while also exploring innovative financing solutions such as tokenisation of critical minerals to attract global investors.
2. NLC–Mota-Engil Agreement:
The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) signed an MoU with Mota-Engil Group, a global leader in engineering and construction.
The collaboration will identify priority markets in Pakistan where Mota-Engil can align with government development visions and private sector initiatives.
The Group aims to build long-term partnerships, leveraging global expertise to drive job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable development within Pakistan’s infrastructure sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating international investment in mining, logistics, and infrastructure sectors, noting that these agreements mark a milestone in strengthening Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations and opening new avenues for sustainable economic growth.
The delegation’s visit and signing of the MoUs reflect Pakistan’s growing appeal as an investment destination for critical minerals and infrastructure development, unlocking opportunities for mutual prosperity.
