The first Critical Minerals Forum of Tajikistan and Korea took place in Seoul on August 12 to help identify practical projects and connect Tajikistan’s vast resource potential with Korea’s expertise and technologies for mineral exploration and development.
The forum brought together senior Tajik government officials and representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR), the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), the Export-Import Bank of Korea, and the private sectors of both countries.
According to the Tajik Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, the event focused on prospects for cooperation in mining and precious metals, meeting Korea’s demand for critical minerals, and supply chain resilience.
The forum included a presentation of Tajikistan’s potential in critical mineral resources, highlighting opportunities for joint projects in underground resource exploration and the establishment of value-added chains.
As part of the forum, B2B meetings took place between South Korean companies and Tajik companies such as Pakrut, Talco Gold, Aprelevka, Kanzi Diyor, Anzob, Tajikistan-China Mining Company, Dastras 2011, and TBEA to discuss direct cooperation opportunities, the implementation of joint projects, and investment attraction.
Ahead of the forum, on August 11, Tajikistan’s First Deputy Minister of Industry and New Technologies Isojon Qurbonzoda met with Korea’s Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Moon Shin-hak to discuss industrial and economic cooperation projects in anticipation of the first Korea-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for September 16, 2026, as well as cooperation in critical minerals.
Vice Minister Moon welcomed the inaugural Korea-Tajikistan Critical Minerals Forum, highlighting Tajikistan’s abundant mineral resources, including gold, silver, and antimony.
“Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries, with their abundant resources and growth potential, are important partners for Korea,” Moon said. “We will build on the initiatives discussed today to deliver tangible outcomes in the areas of industry, supply chains and critical minerals at the Korea-Central Asia Summit in September.”
According to the Tajik Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, Tajikistan is among the world’s most resource-rich countries for critical minerals needed in high-demand sectors. Of the 800 explored deposits, 100 are currently under development, extracting gold, silver, lead, copper, antimony, tin, tungsten, mercury, fluorspar, lithium, and rare earth metals such as gallium and germanium.
Tajikistan has 10 different types of metals and minerals that are included in the list of priority critical minerals for China, the EU, and the USA.
Tajikistan ranks third in Asia for confirmed reserves of antimony, estimated at more than 2 million tons.
The country hosts the largest silver deposits in Central Asia, including the unique Bolshoy Konimansur deposit.
Significant gold reserves are located in key mining regions of Karamazar, Central Tajikistan, and the Pamirs.
Tungsten reserves are estimated at 150 million tons.
Recently discovered reserves of nickel, cobalt, and lithium lay the foundation for substantial growth of the Tajik critical minerals sector.
Tajikistan also accounts for about 270 million tons or 20% of Central Asia’s reserves of lead, as well as possesses nearly a billion tons of aluminum ore reserves.
These abundant reserves require technology and investment for extraction and development.
