Eurasian governments are rewriting the rules of the mineral economy, accelerating a wave of resource nationalism that is reshaping global supply chains for copper, lithium, gold and other critical minerals. As demand surges in clean-energy technologies, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, states stretching from Kazakhstan to Türkiye — and from Uzbekistan to Mongolia — are tightening export controls to capture more value at home and reduce reliance on foreign processing hubs, particularly China.
This shift echoes global trends. Indonesia’s dramatic nickel-export ban proved that restricting raw ore shipments can force investors to build domestic smelters and downstream industries. Inspired by that success, Eurasian countries are adopting similar strategies, each adapting the model to match national priorities, mineral endowments and industrial capabilities.
Kazakhstan pushes for a new copper-industrial economy
As one of the world’s leading producers of uranium and copper, Kazakhstan is moving aggressively to retain more value within its borders. The government has imposed stricter quotas on unprocessed ore exports and is offering preferential terms to companies willing to invest in refining, smelting and low-carbon metals. Officials argue that exporting raw materials drains jobs, tax revenue and long-term industrial potential. Their ultimate ambition is to turn Kazakhstan into a regional hub for high-value copper products and advanced metallurgical technologies.
Uzbekistan pivots from raw exports to integrated value chains
Uzbekistan, deep into a broad economic liberalisation drive, is tightening oversight of lithium, copper and gold exports. Rather than serving as a raw-material supplier, Tashkent wants to build complete value chains — from ore extraction to refining and eventually battery-component production. For Uzbekistan’s leadership, critical minerals are not mere export commodities but the foundation of a modern industrial economy.
Türkiye deepens strategic control over mineral flows
Türkiye is also expanding its regulatory reach as domestic demand for metals rises across construction, renewable-energy infrastructure, electronics and defence. Export permitting has become more selective, with authorities prioritising industries deemed essential for national development. By managing mineral flows more strategically, Ankara aims to strengthen local capacity while using exports as leverage in international trade.
A new era of geopolitical leverage
Beneath these policy shifts lies a broader geopolitical awakening. As the global energy transition accelerates, mineral supply equals strategic power — and Eurasia holds some of the world’s most significant deposits of copper, lithium, rare earths, uranium and gold. Governments across the region are no longer willing to let those advantages slip offshore with minimal oversight.
The double-edged sword of resource nationalism
For states, tightening export regimes promises higher revenue, industrial diversification and greater autonomy in a world increasingly shaped by mineral dependencies. But for investors, the trend introduces uncertainty, regulatory complexity and shorter planning horizons. Whether Eurasia becomes a stable, investment-friendly processing centre or a fragmented patchwork of restrictive regimes will depend on how governments balance assertive policy with transparent rules.
The decisive years ahead
The next half-decade will determine Eurasia’s role in the global minerals economy. Will the region emerge as a competitive hub for refined copper, lithium processing and low-carbon metals — or will strict, inconsistent controls disrupt supply chains and deter investment? One thing is already clear: minerals that once flowed abroad almost unnoticed are now central instruments of national strategy and global influence.
