While the world has entered into competition for rare earth elements, Uzbekistan has once again strengthened its strategic position. At the International Conference of the Rare Earth Industry Association in Canada, the Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex (TMC) participated, was officially accepted as a member, and joined the world's largest rare earth metal industry.
Why are rare earth elements so important to the world?
Rare Earth Elements (REE) are at the heart of modern technology infrastructure. The production of electric vehicles, smartphones, military technologies, wind turbines, satellites, semiconductors, and even quantum computers is impossible to imagine without these elements.
What does Uzbekistan's accession to REIA mean?
The Rare Earth Industry Association was founded in 2019 in Brussels, and its main objective is to form a sustainable, consistent, and environmentally responsible global Rare Earth Elements (REE) supply chain. Its members include leading technology companies, research institutes, and large investment funds from the USA, Canada, Japan, and Europe. Uzbekistan's membership in this association testifies to the country's deep integration into the global value chain of rare earth elements.
"Our association is a platform for establishing partnerships based on unity, cooperation, and mutual trust, where 'one plus one can become three.' It is thanks to these values that we, in cooperation with you, will help you take the right position in the global process in the field of rare earth elements," says Gareth Hatch, Secretary General of the Association.
This membership is important not only for accelerating the transfer of advanced technologies and environmental standards but also for attracting international cooperation, joint scientific and practical projects, and international investments for the Uzbekistan Technological Metallurgical Combine (TMC).
At the conference, TMC held meetings with more than 15 major companies from around the world.
Negotiations were held with industrial giants such as Energy Fuels (USA), JOGMEC (Japan), Saskatchewan Research Council (Canada), and Neo Materials on scientific research, technology transfer, and joint projects. These meetings became an important stage on Uzbekistan's path to becoming a global player in the rare earth metals market.
International associations are choosing TMC!
Currently, TMC is becoming a member of several associations related to critical minerals. In particular, in March of this year, it was admitted to the International Tungsten Industry Association (ITIA), and in April - to the European Carbon and Graphite Association (ECGA).
"If our joint cooperation continues consistently, it will play an important role in providing the European Union with strategic resources. This platform creates great opportunities for technological progress, industrial integration, and knowledge exchange," says Corina Hebestreit, Secretary General of the European Carbon and Graphite Association.
Uzbekistan's membership in such large associations means that the country is taking a bold step towards leadership in the field of critical minerals in Central Asia.
