Pakistan ships first batch of rare earth minerals to US, offers access to Arabian Sea port to facilitate shipment

Pakistan and the United States have begun a new chapter in their economic and strategic partnership with a deal focused on rare earth minerals, according to a report by Dawn. The US company, US Strategic Metals (USSM), which signed an agreement with Pakistan in September, has now sent the first batch of mineral samples to the United States. The company plans to invest about USD 500 million to build facilities in Pakistan for processing and developing minerals.

Officials in Washington said this shipment is an important step for Pakistan to become part of the global supply chain of critical minerals, which are essential for modern industries and national security.

The shipment, prepared in Pakistan with help from the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), includes antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements like neodymium and praseodymium.

In a statement, US Strategic Metals (USSM) called the shipment “a major milestone in the Pakistan-US strategic partnership.” The company said that the agreement creates a clear plan for joint work across the entire mineral industry i.e. from exploration and processing to building refineries within Pakistan.

USSM’s CEO, Stacy W. Hastie, said the first shipment marks “an exciting start” to cooperation between USSM and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organisation (FWO). He added that the partnership aims to increase trade and strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

According to Dawn, the deal could help Pakistan gain a strong position in the global market for critical minerals, which could bring in billions of dollars, create jobs, and promote technology sharing. Pakistan’s untapped mineral wealth is estimated to be worth around USD 6 trillion, making it one of the most resource-rich countries in the world.

Pakistan offers Arabian Sea port to US for mineral export

Pakistan has offered the United States access to the Pasni port on the Arabian Sea to make it easier to ship rare earth minerals. This offer comes shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir met President Trump at the White House, which was Munir’s third visit to Washington this year. A photo from the meeting showed Munir presenting samples of rare earth minerals from Pakistan to Trump in a wooden box.

The Pasni port, located about 113 km from China’s Gwadar port and 161 km from the Pakistan-Iran border, holds major strategic importance.

Pakistan’s main goal in offering the port is to support the export of critical minerals such as copper, antimony, neodymium, and other rare earth elements — key materials used in batteries, electronics, and defence technologies.

By allowing the U.S. to use Pasni port, Pakistan hopes to create a new trade route for these valuable resources, boost its economy, and strengthen strategic ties with Washington. This move could mark the beginning of a deeper partnership in trade, technology, and security between the two countries.