KARACHI: Pakistan is set to engage with global mining companies at the upcoming Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next week, aiming to attract investment and showcase the country’s mineral potential.
Led by Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), the delegation of at least 13 public and private Pakistani companies will highlight opportunities in the mineral-rich Tethyan Belt, promote upcoming domestic initiatives, and explore agreements with international partners to boost the nation’s mining and energy sectors.
The FMF will host around 20,000 representatives from governments, businesses, multilateral and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and trade associations from over 160 countries, according to organizers, according to documents reviewed by Arab News.
Last year, the forum facilitated over 3,500 business meetings and led to the signing of 126 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.
At least 13 public and private Pakistani companies from the mines and minerals sector are expected to participate in the three-day event at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh starting January 13, with PPL serving as the lead organizer from Pakistan.
Other Pakistani participants include Mari Minerals and Mari Energies, Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Balochistan Mineral Resources Limited (BMRL), Pakistan Minerals Private Limited (PMPL), Government Holdings (Private) Limited, Balochistan Mineral Exploration Company (BMEC), Saindak Metals Limited, Globacore Minerals Limited, Bolan Mining Enterprises, and Biafo Industries Limited, according to Arab News.
“There are certain MoUs in the pipeline with different international mining companies likely to be signed during FMF,” Ajaz Ahmed Khan, general manager at PPL’s shared services department said.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a global leader in the minerals and energy sectors, boosting investments in green technologies, sustainable mining practices, and international collaborations that are shaping the future of the mining industry.
Pakistani companies will highlight the nation’s mineral potential at the Saudi forum, Khan added.
“We are focusing to promote our Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum (PMIF) planned in April in Pakistan, where all major countries and international companies have been invited,” he said.
The Pakistani government plans to host PMIF 2026 in Islamabad to attract foreign investment in the mines and minerals sector. The South Asian nation sits within the mineral-rich geological zone known as the ‘Tethyan Belt,’ home to one of the world’s largest copper-gold mines at Reko Diq, which is expected to begin production by 2028.
“Many other similar initiatives and blocks are currently under exploration or in various stages of development, which make Pakistan a crucial partner in this energy transition,” Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said in a video message.
He noted that Pakistan benchmarked its fiscal and regulatory environment last year against leading global mining jurisdictions to attract patient capital and formalize its mining sector.
At FMF, Islamabad will feature a dedicated pavilion titled ‘Pakistan – The Mineral Marvel,’ showcasing the country’s rich geological landscape and investment potential to the global mineral community, according to documents reviewed by Arab News.
Malik will lead a delegation of officials and business leaders from Pakistani mineral companies at the forum. Pakistan will also host a 90-minute Country Showcase Session at FMF featuring the petroleum minister, CEOs of Pakistani companies, foreign investors, and international experts.
