A new wave of Gulf and Asian investment is transforming Eurasia’s copper and battery-metal sector, reshaping ownership patterns and accelerating the development of critical mineral assets essential to global electrification. Investors from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, India, South Korea, and Japan are increasingly active in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Georgia, and the Caucasus, signaling a strategic eastward realignment of capital flows.
Copper and Battery Metals at the Center of the Investment Surge
Copper, the backbone of renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, grid expansion, and data-centre infrastructure, is driving much of the investment. Demand for copper is projected to rise by as much as 80%, and Eurasia hosts some of the world’s largest undeveloped or under-modernized copper deposits, making the region a prime target for investors seeking long-term supply security.
Meanwhile, battery metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt are attracting attention from funds aiming to secure materials for EVs and energy storage, ensuring that industrial ambitions align with the global energy transition.
Gulf Investors Pursue Diversification and Strategic Influence
Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, fueled by hydrocarbon revenues, are actively diversifying into metals critical for the post-oil economy. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in both early-stage exploration and established mining operations, aiming to secure physical supply and establish influence across emerging critical-mineral corridors. These efforts complement domestic battery-metal strategies and long-term industrial ambitions.
Asian Investors Target Integrated Value Chains
Asian capital is also flowing into Eurasia with a focus on integrating mine-to-battery supply chains. Indian conglomerates are securing copper and battery metals to meet domestic EV targets, Japanese trading houses seek stability amid competition with China, and South Korean companies aim to lock in feedstock for battery production feeding global automakers.
Host Countries Embrace Investment While Managing Risks
Governments across the region are welcoming foreign investment:
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Kazakhstan aims to become a top-tier copper producer, targeting over 500,000 tonnes of refined copper annually.
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Uzbekistan, traditionally gold-focused, is opening new licensing rounds for copper, zinc, and lithium.
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Georgia and Armenia are promoting polymetallic deposits to international investors.
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Türkiye continues expanding its base-metals sector with state-backed incentives.
However, challenges persist. Political transitions, complex licensing regimes, community tensions, and environmental concerns could slow projects. Infrastructure gaps in rail, power, and export corridors remain significant barriers. Geopolitical friction among global powers competing for influence could also complicate negotiations.
Eurasia Emerges as a Strategic Minerals Hub
Despite the risks, the trend is clear: Eurasia is rapidly becoming a strategic zone for global mineral supply. With copper scarcity looming and battery-metal demand surging, investors who secure assets now will shape industrial competitiveness for decades. Gulf and Asian capital, backed by long-term planning, technology, and financial muscle, are positioning themselves to dominate this emerging minerals frontier.
