ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will showcase its vast mineral resources at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), scheduled to be held on April 8–9 at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
The international event aims to attract foreign investment and revitalise the country’s mining sector by showcasing its vast potential and opportunities.
This high-profile two-day summit will host prominent figures, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and key officials from both local and international companies.
Numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are anticipated to be signed with various firms, marking a significant advancement in unlocking Pakistan’s mineral wealth.
According to the management of PMIF management, the vision of this forum is to establish Pakistan as a key force in the global mining economy, leveraging it’s vast mineral wealth to drive sustainable development, economic transformation, and global supply chain resilience.
Pakistan boasts rich mineral reserves, including coal, copper, gold, iron ore, chromite, and precious stones, which present considerable economic opportunities.
Nevertheless, the mineral sector currently contributes only 3.2% to the national GDP, with mineral exports making up a mere 0.1% of global exports.
Experts in the industry believe that with increased exploration, foreign investment, and improved infrastructure, the sector could experience substantial growth.
Spanning approximately 600,000 square kilometres, Pakistan’s mineral-rich landscape is home to 92 known minerals, of which 52 are commercially exploited.
The country produces about 68.52 million metric tons of minerals each year, supporting 5,000 operational mines and 50,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which together employ around 300,000 individuals.
Among its considerable mineral reserves, Pakistan is known for possessing the second-largest salt mines globally and the fifth-largest copper and gold deposits, as well as significant coal, bauxite, gypsum, and gemstone resources.
These assets present lucrative export prospects and hold the potential to significantly bolster economic growth.
One of the key projects is the Reko Diq copper and gold initiative in Balochistan’s Chagai district, recognized as one of the largest untapped copper reserves in the world.
The project has been revitalized by Canada’s Barrick Gold with an initial investment of $5.5 billion, with production expected to start by 2028. It is projected to generate $74 billion in free cash flow over the next 37 years and contribute $2.8 billion in annual exports.
To streamline operations in the sector, the Pakistan government is finalizing the National Minerals Harmonization Framework 2025, a comprehensive policy aimed at attracting investment and regulating the industry at both provincial and national levels.
This framework will introduce investment incentives, simplify mining regulations, and promote public-private partnerships.
Organised by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), PMIF25 will serve as a vital platform for global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore investment opportunities, technological advancements, and policy reforms in Pakistan’s mining sector.
The conference is expected to position the country as a key player in the global mining industry. With strategic investments, infrastructure improvements, and value-added mineral processing, Pakistan’s mining sector holds the potential to significantly contribute to national economic growth.
