PMIF26 concludes with major investment agreements; Pakistan reaffirms commitment to mineral value addition

The two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26) concluded in the federal capital on Friday, with international investors invited to explore Pakistan’s mineral wealth and assured of investment protection and government support.

The concluding day was attended by over 10,000 participants from more than 60 countries.

A major announcement came from the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), which reported an estimated 350 million tonnes of copper in the Dasht-e-Kain area of Balochistan’s Chagai district.

The estimate is based on roughly half of the drilling data analysed so far. The announcement highlighted Pakistan’s exploration potential and added to the investment opportunities presented at the forum.
Mari Minerals announced the discovery of its first-ever gold and copper reserves in Balochistan.
National Resources Limited (NRL) said it had found copper and gold mineralisation across at least eight porphyry discoveries in Chagai after drilling nearly 25,000 metres. The company also announced a $100 million investment commitment in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
The forum also witnessed the signing of 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Pakistani and international companies.
In his closing remarks, PMIF President and OGDC Managing Director/CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak said the forum had ended on a note of strong optimism about the future of Pakistan’s minerals sector.
He said it had brought together international investment interest, national ambition, technical expertise and a shared commitment to unlocking the country’s mineral potential.
He said thousands of delegates, investors, diplomats, industry leaders and technical experts from around the world had attended, and that PMIF26 had made significant progress in translating Pakistan’s mineral potential into practical initiatives, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities.
The forum featured 13 technical sessions, panels and roundtables, alongside eight strategic discussions, he said.
Among the key milestones, he cited the launch of the National Minerals Database and Data Centre Portal and the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) GeoPortal. He described them as important steps towards improving access to geological information and supporting informed investment decisions.
Lak also highlighted the signing of 13 agreements covering geoscientific cooperation, mining project development, the establishment of a state-of-the-art commercial minerals laboratory, mineral exploration, airborne geophysical surveys, and advanced exploration technologies, including ambient noise tomography.
He said the strategic discussions had addressed key priorities, including, translating provincial mineral potential into economic prosperity; mobilising capital for early-stage exploration; advancing next-generation mining projects; strengthening the Geological Survey of Pakistan; developing a future-ready mining workforce; promoting women’s participation in the sector; and building investor-ready mining jurisdictions.
These outcomes, he said, reflected a transition from dialogue to action, from geological potential to investment readiness, and from national ambition to meaningful international collaboration.
Emphasising that investor confidence depended not only on opportunities but also on consistency, transparency and delivery, Lak said the true measure of PMIF26 would be not the number of discussions held or agreements signed, but the partnerships advanced, projects developed and investments ultimately realised.
Drawing on OGDC’s decades of experience in exploring, developing and managing Pakistan’s energy resources, he said geological potential alone was never sufficient for success.
Technical excellence, patient investment, strong partnerships and effective execution were equally essential, he added, and the same principles applied to the minerals sector.
As the founding partner of PMIF, OGDC remained firmly committed to supporting the national initiative, he said. The company had launched a national capability development programme in collaboration with Wood Mackenzie, its key knowledge partner for PMIF26.
The programme aims to strengthen the skills, institutions and standards needed for a modern and competitive minerals sector, drawing on international best practices. The objective, he said, was not simply to attract investment but also to build the national capabilities needed to sustain it.
Lak expressed gratitude to the government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Energy for their leadership and continued support.
He also acknowledged the cooperation of federal and provincial institutions, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Geological Survey of Pakistan, Government Holdings (Private) Limited and the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
He thanked international delegates, diplomatic representatives, investors, speakers, panellists, exhibitors and media representatives for their participation. He also praised the dedication of the PMIF organising teams, including OGDC colleagues, particularly its female training officers, and partner organisations.
The work of PMIF26 would continue beyond the forum, Lak said, with the next edition providing an opportunity to assess progress on the commitments and partnerships initiated in Islamabad. He called on participants to return not merely to discuss new opportunities but to demonstrate tangible progress in developing them.
“Pakistan’s mineral wealth is a gift of nature. Transforming it into lasting prosperity is our collective responsibility,” he said. He added that PMIF26 should be remembered not simply as a gathering of investors and policymakers, but as a defining step towards turning Pakistan’s mineral potential into tangible economic progress.
Urging stakeholders to move forward together with renewed confidence, stronger partnerships and a shared commitment to delivery, Lak invited international guests to return for the next edition of the forum in November 2027.
The second day’s programme also featured a government dialogue on building investor-ready mining jurisdictions. Representatives discussed policy certainty, regional cooperation, local content, skills development and long-term industrial growth.
International industry leaders addressed the forum, including Barrick Mining Corporation Chairman John L. Thornton, Ivanhoe Mines Executive Chairman Robert Friedland and Minmetals Central & South Asia Vice President Wang Jicheng. Strategic announcements from Pakistani companies and institutions highlighted efforts to advance projects and strengthen participation across the mineral value chain.
A session titled “License to Deliver: Building Trust, Infrastructure & Export Corridors” examined the importance of security, environmental and social standards, transport links, power, water and logistics in developing a competitive mining industry.
The technical conference continued alongside the strategic discussions, with specialists presenting research on geological characterisation, mineral exploration, artificial intelligence, processing technologies and investment readiness. The international exhibition also provided a platform for companies, investors and technology providers to showcase projects, equipment and services and explore business partnerships.
PMIF26 featured 122 exhibitors and attracted around the participants. It served as a platform to showcase Pakistan’s mineral potential, promote international cooperation and connect investment opportunities with global expertise.
The forum was organised by the Government of Pakistan and endorsed by the SIFC, with Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) as its founding partner.