KEY POINTS
- Federal Minister highlights Pakistan’s untapped mineral wealth ahead of upcoming investment forum
- Over 300 foreign representatives and 2000 guests to take part in PMIF-2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik on Monday said that the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), set to begin tomorrow in Islamabad, will attract a large number of international investors by showcasing the country’s vast untapped mineral wealth.
During a press briefing in Islamabad, the Minister highlighted that Pakistan is rich in untapped mineral wealth, and he expressed optimism that the forum could pave the way for lucrative agreements with foreign investors.
He noted that approximately 300 foreign representatives and 2000 guests are anticipated to attend the minerals investment forum, with arrivals already underway.
Malik announced that the forum will explore critical areas such as investment, security, and governmental policies concerning significant mineral ventures, including the renowned Reko Diq.
The arrival of international guests is already underway, with approximately 2,000 participants anticipated, including delegations from Saudi Arabia, the United States, Russia and China.
He also mentioned that high-ranking officials from Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the United States are expected to grace the event, especially given the rich copper and gold reserves located in the Chagai district of Balochistan.
On this occasion, MD/CEO OGDCL Ahmed Hayat Lak said that the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 is set to become an annual fixture, aimed at maximizing investment flows into the country and fostering economic growth. The forum will unveil the discovery of several mineral deposits.
Lak emphasized Pakistan’s emerging role as a pivotal commercial and economic centre for mineral resource investment in the region. The Minerals Investment Forum is poised to unveil lucrative opportunities within Pakistan’s mining sector.
Scheduled to take place at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad on April 8 and 9, the forum will provide a platform for guests to connect with esteemed members of the Pakistani business community and engage in the signing of memorandums concerning various business ventures.
The two-day summit will feature prominent personalities including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, along with federal ministers, parliamentarians, and influential leaders from both local and international enterprises.
Attendees can expect a plethora of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to be inked, symbolizing a pivotal leap towards harnessing Pakistan’s abundant mineral resources.
The management team of PMIF envisions transforming Pakistan into a powerhouse within the global mining landscape, tapping into its extensive mineral wealth to propel sustainable development, and economic revitalization, and fortify global supply chains.
Pakistan is a treasure trove of mineral riches, including coal, copper, gold, iron ore, chromite, and precious gems, yet the sector only contributes a modest 3.2% to the national GDP, with mineral exports accounting for a mere 0.1% of worldwide exports.
Industry experts assert that through enhanced exploration, foreign investment, and upgraded infrastructure, this sector could flourish immensely.
Encompassing about 600,000 square kilometres, Pakistan’s mineral-laden terrain is home to 92 identified minerals, 52 of which are presently being commercially exploited.
The nation produces around 68.52 million metric tons of minerals annually, supporting 5,000 mines and 50,000 SMEs, collectively employing approximately 300,000 people.
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Among its impressive mineral holdings, Pakistan boasts the world’s second-largest salt mines and ranks fifth in copper and gold deposits, alongside significant reserves of coal, bauxite, gypsum, and gemstones. These resources offer lucrative export opportunities and the potential to substantially enhance economic growth.
A standout initiative is the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Balochistan’s Chagai district, heralded as one of the largest untapped copper reserves globally.
Revitalized by Canada’s Barrick Gold with an initial investment of $5.5 billion, production is set to commence by 2028, projected to yield $74 billion in free cash flow over 37 years and contribute $2.8 billion annually in exports.
To streamline operations in this vital sector, the Pakistani government is set to unveil the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework 2025, a comprehensive policy designed to attract investment and regulate the industry at both provincial and national levels.
This framework will introduce incentives, simplify regulations, and foster public-private partnerships.
