"The Upcoming C5+1 Dialogue on Critical Minerals"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Crossroads Asia
The Diplomat
1 June 2026
Published: https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/the-upcoming-c51-dialogue-on-critical-minerals/
On the sidelines of the Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress, the C5+1 aims to deepen cooperation on critical minerals.
"«Гол в свои ворота». Западный инвестор ушел из добывающего проекта, обвинив Казахстан в игре не по правилам"
By: Азаттык Азия
Azattyq Asia
10 February, 2026
Президент Second Floor Strategies, консалтинговой компании из Вашингтона Уайлдер Алехандро Санчес полагает, что причина кроется не только в строительстве в Казахстане АЭС, но и в планах по сохранению внутри страны доходов от урана, цена и спрос на который в мире растет.
«Решение Астаны выглядит разумным, поскольку правительство стремится защитить "Казатомпром" и обеспечить, чтобы доходы от минеральных ресурсов Казахстана (в частности урана) оставались в стране. "Казатомпром" планирует сократить добычу урана примерно на 10 процентов в 2026 году, чтобы избежать перенасыщения рынка при недостаточном спросе, однако это решение изменится по мере восстановления роста спроса в ближайшем будущем», — говорит Санчес.
При этом в целом решение аналитик оценивает неоднозначно — из-за влияния на имидж страны и геополитических рисков.
"Mining in Iran: A problem that affects the oppressed Azerbaijani population"
Wilder Alejandro
NE Global
3 December, 2025
Published: https://www.neglobal.eu/mining-in-iran-a-problem-that-affects-the-oppressed-azerbaijani-population/
Two noteworthy events took place between late October and November. In late October, the head of the Iran Mine House, Mohammad Reza Bahraman, said, “Iran requires about €55 billion (around $59 billion) in new investment to achieve its planned 13 percent growth target for the mining sector.” Meanwhile, from 10-21 November, the COP30 climate change conference took place in Belém, Brazil.
The two events are obviously interlinked. The global demand for minerals is ever-growing, with rare earth elements and critical minerals being the latest obsession due to their widespread use in new technologies. However, mining is a very polluting and destructive industry. More environmentally friendly mining methods are being developed, but they are not yet widely implemented. Unsurprisingly, mining is closely linked to environmental destruction, and this extractive activity contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through methane releases
"Washington Discusses the Future of Central Asia-US Relations, While Beijing Takes Concrete Action"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Crossroads Asia
The Diplomat
28 June 2025
"Critical Matters: Reflections on Mining in Kazakhstan"
By: Assel Nussupova
Caspian Policy Center
7 April, 2025
Published: https://caspianpolicy.org/research/commentary/critical-matters-reflections-on-mining-in-kazakhstan
Wilder Alejandro Sánchez, President of Second Floor Strategies, a consulting firm in Washington, DC, provided three reasons behind Kazakhstan’s appeal as a location for mining investment. “Kazakhstan has many mining deposits. Moreover, the country already has a good international name in the mining industry due to the production of uranium. The country has a friendly investment climate aimed at attracting more investors, not scaring them away. The Kazakhstani government has created entities like the Astana International Financial Centre, with its arbitration center, and Kazakh Invest, to engage potential investors and industries. There are already many mining projects across Kazakhstan. However, the country is vast, and many deposits are yet to be found. So, mining companies know that Kazakhstan’s mineral deposits have not yet been exhausted.”
Wilder Alejandro Sánchez delineated some of the barriers facing foreign companies or investors wanting to get involved in mining in Kazakhstan. He pointed to three main challenges: “Kazakhstan continues to be regarded as a frontier market. There are concerns about corruption, embezzlement, and other bad financial practices. These are all issues that need to be addressed. Astana must continue to show the world that mining projects will be treated fairly and that the Kazakhstani government and that the nation’s private industries are reliable partners for international investors and companies. [Another factor is] distance: Kazakhstan is rich in minerals but far away from the global market due to its geographical location. Thus, the problem is not just getting the minerals out of the ground but processing them locally and transporting them (processed or raw) to the final destination. This is particularly problematic in the current era of geopolitical tensions. [There is also a] lack of knowledge about new mining deposits.”
"Not-So-Nearshoring: The Case for a US-Uzbekistan Critical Minerals Partnership"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Opinion
Geopolitical Monitor
8 January, 2025
For the United States, obtaining access to critical minerals (CMs) and rare earth elements (REEs) is a strategy now associated with nearshoring. However, Washington is also engaging Uzbekistan, as the Central Asian nation is wealthy with CMs. The final quarter of 2024 saw several high-level meetings and agreements between Washington and Tashkent, which deserve more significant discussion.
"Protests Shutter Mozambique’s Balama Graphite Mine"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Geopolitical Monitor
Situation Reports
30 December, 2024
Published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/protests-shutter-mozambiques-balama-graphite-mine/
Critical minerals and rare earth elements are commodities whose value continues to increase, given their importance to the global economy and new technologies. The problem is that many critical minerals are located in areas of the world that are either difficult to access or are unrest prone. The latter is the case of the Balama graphite mine in Mozambique, which recently shut down operations amid ongoing protests in the African nation.
"How can rare earths help Central Asia’s energy transition?"
Atlantic Council
23 January 2024
Information: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/how-can-central-asia-help-break-chinas-rare-earth-dominance/
The development of many new technologies, particularly those crucial to the global energy transition, is dependent on rare earth elements (REEs), which has set off a global race to acquire them. With China holding a near monopoly on refining and mining REEs, assertive Chinese foreign policy has accelerated the West’s desire to diversify its REE supply chains. Central Asia is key to that diversification.
While Central Asia is a growing area of focus for the United States, evaluations of global REE endowments have continued to neglect the region. Proactive Western investment in the discovery and mining of Central Asia’s REEs is a crucial opportunity to diversify global REE supply chains and to support regional integration, sovereignty, and economic freedom among the Central Asian states.
A new report from the International Tax and Investment Center’s Energy, Growth, and Security Program, “Leveraging Central Asia’s Rare Earth Elements for Economic Growth,” analyzes the state of REEs development in Central Asia and the geopolitical opportunities for the region through maximizing the development and export of its rare earth deposits. Investment in the development of REEs can help increase economic growth in Central Asia and break China’s rare earth dominance, while producing components essential to the green energy transition.
Speakers
Ariel Cohen
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Eurasia Center
Atlantic Council
Suriya Evans-Pritchard Jayanti
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Eurasia Center
Atlantic Council
Yerlan Galiyev
Chairman of the Board
National Geological Survey of Kazakhstan
Ambassador John Herbst
Senior Director, Eurasia Center
Atlantic Council
Wesley Hill
International Program Manager, Energy, Growth, and Security Program
International Tax and Investment Center
Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
President
Second Floor Strategies
"Освоение ресурсов редкоземельных элементов и будущее Центральной Ази" / "Development of rare earth resources and the future of Central Asia"
KazInform (Kazkahstan)
25 January 2024
Originally published: https://www.inform.kz/ru/osvoenie-resursov-redkozemelnih-elementov-i-budushee-tsentralnoy-azii-090fd6
Зачем нужно создать Центр изучения редкоземельных элементов
Президент «Second Floor Strategies» Алехандро Уайлдер (Alejandro Wilder) сообщил, что по проведению политики в отношении редкоземельных элементов в регионе прогресс виден в Казахстане и Узбекистане.
Эксперт считает, что необходимо создание «Центральноазиатского центра изучения редкоземельных элементов» для информирования потенциальных заказчиков и инвесторов о богатстве редкоземельных ресурсов, которыми располагает регион.
"Bolivia Aims to Break into Rare Earths Market"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
18 January, 2024
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/bolivia-aims-to-break-into-rare-earths-market/
In early January, Bolivia’s Minister of Mining Marcelino Quispe López announced that surveying and prospecting for rare earth elements (REEs) in the South American country had yielded promising results. In other words, Bolivia could, in the future, add REE exports to its long list of exported minerals. The other side of the coin is that the country’s dependence on mining will not change anytime soon.
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Crossroads Asia
The Diplomat
15 December, 2023
Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/central-asias-rare-earths-may-fuel-energy-transition/
If rare earth elements are the crude oil of the 21st century, then Central Asia and Mongolia may be the Saudi Arabias of these strategic minerals.
The COP28 climate summit in Dubai produced an agreement that aims to triple the use of renewable energy, double energy efficiency, and “speed up the transition to a cleaner and healthier economy” by 2030, so the world can meet its Paris Agreement goals to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This energy transition cannot be fueled by optimism and zeal alone. Rare earth elements (REEs) are required to fuel this transition and are vital for the growth of every green industry and emerging technology including, electric vehicles, robotics, drones, AI, and advanced computing.
"Supreme Court Ruling Lands a Blow against Mining Interests in Panama"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
1 December 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/supreme-court-ruling-lands-a-blow-against-mining-interests-in-panama/
Panama’s Supreme Court issued a historical ruling on 28 November. After deliberating for less than a week, the judiciary of the Central American country determined that a controversial and very unpopular contract between Canada’s First Quantum Minerals and the government of Panama is “unconstitutional.” While the dust still needs to settle, and repercussions are expected, including potential legal actions by First Quantum, the decision is a significant victory for the Panamanian environment and the people’s voice.
"China’s Win-Win in Zimbabwe: Lithium for Regime Legitimacy"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
9 November, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/chinas-win-win-in-zimbabwe-lithium-for-regime-legitimacy/
The People’s Republic of China has announced a massive USD 2.79 billion investment in its lithium mining operations in Zimbabwe. Mining in the African nation will help placate Beijing’s growing hunger for critical minerals; however, as a dictatorial government, we cannot expect this financial influx to help Zimbabweans other than the country’s rulers.
"Protests Put Panama’s First Quantum Minerals Copper Project in Doubt"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
2 November, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/protests-put-panamas-first-quantum-minerals-copper-project-in-doubt/
In late October, thousands of Panamanians took to the streets (and even the water) across the country to protest a contract granted by the Panamanian government to the Canada-based First Quantum Minerals mining company to operate Central America’s largest copper mine. Copper is a precious mineral and a critical component for various industries. However, the people of the Central American country are pushing back due to a long list of environmental concerns.
The historical decision by Panama to hold a national referendum on 17 December over the contract represents a major win for environmental organizers and could well set a precedent for other polities in South and Central America.
"Angola Bets on Critical Minerals and the Lobito Corridor"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
28 September, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/angola-bets-on-critical-minerals-and-the-lobito-corridor/
The African continent has many, many natural resources, which are highly coveted by the rest of the globe, including critical minerals (CMs). Angola, a country already known for its oil wealth, will soon have a more significant role in the global race to access critical minerals.
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
12 September, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/the-geopolitical-and-security-impacts-of-seabed-mining/
The summer blockbuster movie, The Meg 2: The Trench, focuses on prehistoric sharks, among other sea creatures, battling against Jonas, portrayed by Jason Statham, and his friends. A side plot of the movie concerns a particularly topical issue in the real world: seabed mining.
"Paraguay and Titanium: Failure to Launch?"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Reports
Geopolitical Monitor
01 August, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/paraguay-and-titanium-failure-to-launch/
“Paraguay will become the center of global titanium production,” was the headline of a November 2010 article in the BBC. Almost a decade and a half later, titanium production in Paraguay has yet to begin. Even more, by the own admittance of the country’s authorities, they are not sure how much titanium there is in the Alto Paraná department, where the deposits are located. Prospecting continues, but no public plans or timelines are available regarding when titanium production will commence, if ever.
"Colombia’s Nickel Reserves: A Blessing and Curse"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
19 July, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/colombias-nickel-reserves-a-blessing-and-curse/
The Colombian government is eager to expand and diversify the country’s mining industry by exploiting critical minerals, including nickel, which is currently solely mined in Cerro Matoso. As global demand for this critical mineral reminds high, nickel can be very profitable for Colombia’s mining industry and economy; however, we cannot overlook issues related to nickel mining, including environmental destruction and health problems for workers and local inhabitants. Even violence has become commonplace around Cerro Matoso.
"Lithium Industry: US Senate Approves Critical Tax Treaty with Chile"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
7 July, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/lithium-industry-us-senate-approves-critical-tax-treaty-with-chile/
"Bauxite: Jamaica’s Lucrative 'Red Dirt'"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
16 June, 2023
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/bauxite-jamaicas-lucrative-red-dirt/
Jamaica is a global producer of bauxite, a critical material used to produce aluminum. The Caribbean island, most well-known globally for its vibrant tourism industry, has exploited this “red dirt” for decades. While the industry remains profitable, there has been significant push-back recently, including a recent landmark Supreme Court ruling against a new mining project.
