From May 19 to 21, Brussels is hosting one of Europe’s largest forums on critical minerals — the EIT RawMaterials Summit. The event has brought together major industrial companies, investors, representatives of the European Commission, and research centers from more than 55 countries.
The Uzbekistan Technological Metals Complex (TMK) is actively participating in the summit, presenting to the international community its cooperation with Europe in the critical minerals sector, ongoing technological projects, and industrial achievements.
Amir Abidov, Deputy Chairman of the TMK Management Board for New Technology Development, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence, spoke at the panel session “The European Union’s Strategy for Diversifying Raw Material Supplies: Practical Experience and Industrial Approaches.”
In his speech, he emphasized that Uzbekistan is becoming a reliable partner for Europe in the field of critical minerals. He presented new supply chains for tungsten, molybdenum, and rhenium, TMK’s strategic projects for European industry, and the integrated Mine — Metal — Market model.
The session also featured TMK’s practical projects with European partners, including investment initiatives, the development of rare earth element extraction technologies, tungsten supplies to Europe, and joint industrial ventures.
Peter Tom Jones, Director of the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals, highlighted the collaboration with TMK and stressed the importance of a long-term and equitable industrial partnership with Uzbekistan.
Representatives of KU Leuven also announced plans for joint research projects with TMK in the fields of black shale, vanadium, and rare earth elements, as well as potential cooperation in training highly qualified personnel.
TMK’s participation in the EIT Raw Materials Summit confirms Uzbekistan’s strengthening strategic role in Europe’s critical minerals supply chain.
