Moving beyond raw ore exports is the defining ambition of the region. This session examines the strategic and technical pathways to domestic processing, refining and intermediate product manufacturing — from battery precursors and alloys to REE oxides. Case studies will cover Türkiye’s boron and REE processing strategy, Uzbekistan’s TMK integrated model, Kazakhstan’s midstream investments, and Armenia’s copper-molybdenum downstream challenge. The CBAM/EU traceability agenda will be addressed.