Pakistan has dispatched its first-ever shipment of rare earth and critical minerals to the United States, marking the operational launch of a $500 million strategic partnership between the two nations.

The historic cargo comes after US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan's Frontier Works Organization (FWO) signed a deal at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad last month, according to PR Newswire. Senior authorities from both countries attended the ceremony.

The agreement sets a framework for joint exploration, processing, and production of mineral concentrates, with plans to establish refining facilities within Pakistan in the next phase.

“In a historic milestone for bilateral cooperation, Pakistan has successfully delivered its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals in the United States,” PR Newswire reported.

 
USSM CEO Stacy W. Hastie hailed the partnership as “a major step forward” in strengthening economic ties. 

“We see this as the first step in our exciting journey together with the Frontier Works Organization of Pakistan to provide critical minerals to the United States and bolster trade and friendship between our two countries,” he said.

Analysts view the development as a potential game-changer for Pakistan’s underdeveloped mineral sector, which holds vast untapped reserves of copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth elements.

With this shipment, Pakistan is emerging as a key player in the global critical minerals market, aligning its resource potential with the strategic needs of advanced industries in the US and beyond.