ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is gearing up to promote its extensive mineral resources at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF 2025) scheduled for April 8-9. This event will bring together global stakeholders, investors, and industry experts to explore lucrative opportunities in Pakistan’s mining sector.
Pakistan’s mineral landscape, covering around 600,000 square kilometers, has enormous economic potential. Despite contributing only 3.2% to the GDP and accounting for a mere 0.1% of global exports, the sector supports over 5,000 operational mines and 50,000 SMEs, providing direct employment to 300,000 workers. Annually, the country produces approximately 68.52 million metric tonnes of minerals, with 52 out of 92 known minerals being commercially exploited.
The government is finalizing the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework 2025 to attract investment and formalize regulations at both provincial and national levels. This comprehensive policy aims to provide incentives for local and foreign investors and streamline mining regulations.
Pakistan boasts significant mineral reserves, including the world’s second-largest salt mines, fifth-largest copper and gold deposits, and abundant coal, bauxite, gypsum, and precious stones like ruby, topaz, and emerald.
Notably, the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Balochistan, revived by Canada’s Barrick Gold, is set to start production by 2028, with an initial investment of $5.5 billion. This project is expected to generate $74 billion in free cash flow over the next 37 years and create thousands of jobs. Saudi mining company Manara Minerals is set to acquire a 15% stake in this project.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing transportation and export logistics for mineral resources, with improved connectivity through Gwadar Port, Port Qasim, and better road and rail networks.
With these initiatives, Pakistan is positioning its mining sector for significant growth and attracting global investments.
