The global scramble for critical minerals has redrawn the map of strategic supply chains, and the Greater Caspian Region finds itself at the center of this transformation. Kazakhstan alone holds an estimated 30 percent of the world's chromium reserves, significant deposits of uranium, manganese, and rare earth elements, and recently discovered lithium reserves that could position the country as a major supplier to the global battery industry. Uzbekistan's gold and copper reserves are among the largest in the world, while Mongolia's deposits of coking coal, copper, and rare earths have attracted billions in foreign direct investment over the past decade.
The geopolitical context has accelerated interest in GCR mineral resources. Western governments and corporations, seeking to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains for critical minerals, are actively courting Central Asian producers. The European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act, which entered into force in 2024, explicitly identifies Central Asian nations as strategic partners for supply chain diversification. The United States has similarly elevated its engagement with the region, with the Department of Energy signing bilateral mineral cooperation agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in 2025.
New corridors for critical mineral flows
The practical challenge of moving minerals from Central Asian extraction sites to Western processing facilities and end markets has catalyzed the development of entirely new logistics corridors. Traditional routes through Russia are no longer viable for many Western buyers due to sanctions and compliance risks. In response, a Trans-Caspian mineral corridor is taking shape, routing critical minerals from Kazakh and Uzbek mines through the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, then onward via Georgia and Turkey to European ports. This corridor requires coordinated infrastructure investment, harmonized customs procedures, and specialized handling capabilities for hazardous mineral concentrates.
"The critical minerals conversation has fundamentally changed the GCR's strategic positioning. Five years ago, Western policymakers viewed Central Asia primarily through an energy lens. Today, the region is recognized as essential to the industrial supply chains that will define the next half-century of economic competition." — GCR Strategic Resources Forum
The investment implications are far-reaching. Junior mining companies with Central Asian exploration licenses have seen their valuations surge, with several Kazakh-focused miners listing on the London and Toronto stock exchanges in 2025. Major mining houses including Rio Tinto, Glencore, and CATL have expanded their Central Asian operations or entered negotiations for joint ventures with state-owned mining enterprises. The total value of announced mining investment commitments in the GCR exceeded $12 billion in the first eight months of 2025, more than double the full-year figure for 2023.
GCR Consulting's strategic minerals practice advises clients across the entire value chain, from exploration companies seeking concession agreements and regulatory approvals, to multinational manufacturers designing diversified sourcing strategies for critical inputs. The firm has developed proprietary country risk assessments for mining operations across the GCR, incorporating geological, regulatory, logistical, and geopolitical factors into a unified analytical framework. As the new supply chain reality continues to evolve, the demand for specialized advisory services at the intersection of minerals, geopolitics, and logistics shows no sign of diminishing.
