By SKM
April08, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir have invited international companies, well-known in mineral and mining sectors to come up with modern technology and investment to explore the trillions of dollars’ treasure present across the country in the shape of minerals and pledged to extend the strong security framework and take proactive steps to protect investors interests
While addressing Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25) here on Tuesday said that Pakistan can say farewell to international financial institutions (IFIs) including the IMF, if it manages to exploit its mineral reserves valuing trillions of dollars. The Prime Minister invited potential investors from the Gulf, USA, China, Europe and Russia saying the investors were his masters.
“We can get rid of mountains of loans by exploiting the mineral reserves.” The Prime Minister appreciated COAS’ role in holding the successful forum on minerals. The Premier highlighted the mining potential across the country and said, “We have to make sure that whatever permissions are granted to potential investors in future … we will not allow raw materials to be shipped out of Pakistan. He added, “From today onwards, there has to be an integrated policy where you [investors] mine raw material, have downstream industry, convert them into finished goods and then export it out.”
“Such agreements will entail that investors will bring technology and transfer it to Pakistan over a period of time,” he said.
“The PMIF25 will serve as a premier platform for international stakeholders to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s emerging minerals sector and unlock the country’s vast mineral potential.” The Prime Minister went on to say, “This will be the cardinal principle of our partnership. In the future, you [investors] are most welcome to these mines all over Pakistan but there has to be a partnership which brings benefits to both partners.”
Earlier Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir extended assurance to both local and international investors that the Pakistan Army would provide a strong security framework and take proactive steps to protect their interests, aiming to boost confidence in the country’s mineral sector.
General Munir emphasized that economic security has become a vital pillar of national security, and the military stands ready to play its role in supporting the development of Pakistan’s mineral wealth.
He highlighted Pakistan’s potential to become a global leader in the mineral sector and invited international organisations to bring their expertise, explore investment avenues, and collaborate in tapping the country’s vast resource base.
“To unlock Pakistan’s mineral wealth, we need engineers, geologists, operators, and skilled miners,” the army chief stated. He said that 27 students from Balochistan are currently undergoing specialised training in mineral exploration in Zambia and Argentina as part of efforts to build a skilled domestic workforce for the sector.
General Munir stressed the importance of not just extraction but also investing in refining and value addition industries within Pakistan. “Development of both upstream and downstream mineral industries is essential to reduce costs and diversify markets,” he noted.
With significant reserves beneath Pakistan’s soil, a capable workforce, and a transparent mineral policy in place, the country has no space for inaction or disappointment, elaborated Gen Munir.
He assured Pakistani and international stakeholders that Pakistan can be relied upon as a confident and trustworthy partner in the mining sector.
Gen Munir also acknowledged the efforts of Baloch tribal elders who have played a significant role in promoting mining activities and the development and progress of Balochistan.
“Working together, Pakistan’s mineral sector can promote regional development, prosperity and sustainability for the collective benefit,” he said.
While Pakistan has made efforts to exploit its natural resources and has invited foreign investment in different projects, the security situation in Balochistan and KP often poses challenges, with foreign nationals being attacked over the past couple of years.
Later on 7 Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) were signed which include i) MoU between Pakistan MSP and Barrick Gold on security, ii) MoU signed between OGDCL and National Resources Limited (NRL) for collaboration in exploration and production in mineral sector, iii) MoU inked between PPL and Metso for a technical partnership focused on mineral extraction and processing technologies, Iv) MOU signed between Mari Minerals and LIDYA for collaboration on exploration and development of mineral exploration; v) MoU signed between Mari Minerals and Globacore Minerals Limited, and vi) MoU between Mari Minerals, the government of Baluchistan and MMC Tongsin Resources Ltd to conduct feasibility for establishing a mineral park and vii) MoU was signed between GSP and JSC ROSGEO (Russia) for cooperation in geoscientific research and exploration
A Framework was signed for a collaborative partnership between GSP and Spatial Dimension (South Africa) on geo-science and digitization. Three agreements were signed which include i) a Agreement between FWO and AZERGOLD of Azerbaijan for collaboration in mineral development; ii) collaboration agreement between FWO, NORMIN MINING, BMRL and Local Notables for exploration and development projects in Baluchistan, iii) Agreement inked between PPL, government of Balochistan for Barite-Lead-Zinc (BLZ) in Khuzdar.
Earlier, an eminent businessman of the country Mr Muhammad Ali Tabba informed the forum that his company— National Resources Limited (NRL) has discovered significant copper-gold mineralization in Chagai, Balochistan.
Muhammad Ali Tabba, Chairman National Resources Limited and CEO Lucky Cement Limited while addressing the participants at Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 said that NRL, a 100% Pakistani privately owned company and a subsidiary of Fatima Fertilizer, Liberty Mills Limited, and Lucky Cement, was awarded a lease in October 2023. The licensed area contained two known porphyry prospects with strong exploration potential. Over the 15 months, NRL has identified 18 new prospects. One of these prospects, “Tang Kaur,” has rapidly progressed to an advanced drilling stage.
Mr. Tabba informed that NRL has completed 13 diamond drill holes (3,517 meters), all of which intersected significant porphyry-style alteration, sheeted and stockwork quartz vein sets, and sulfide mineralization. Assay results from the first six drill holes (1,500 meters) confirm strongly mineralized, near-surface zones with downhole intervals ranging from 48 to 148 meters, using a 0.2% copper cut-off grade and up to 10 meters of internal dilution. The average grade of the intercepts ranges from 0.23% to 0.48% copper, 0.09 to 0.14 g/t gold, and 1.30 to 6.21 g/t silver, resulting in a copper equivalent of 0.28% to 0.56%. The mineralized system remains open to the north, east, and at depth.
He said that advanced drilling at Tang Kaur is scheduled for May 2025, leading to an NI 43-101 Technical Report by year-end by internationally recognized consultants, who are already monitoring the project. This will be followed by 3–4 years of detailed exploration, culminating in feasibility studies, while exploration of the other prospects and leases continues.
Additionally, NRL has acquired a Lead-Zinc exploration license adjacent to a well-known deposit, where a Bankable Feasibility Study has already been conducted. A comprehensive metal value chain is also being studied to assess the feasibility of downstream processing.
Three agreements were also signed which include i) An agreement between FWO and AZERGOLD of Azerbaijan was signed for collaboration in mineral development; ii) a Collaboration Agreement was inked between FWO, NORMIN MINING, BMRL and Local Notables, and an agreement was inked between PPL, Government of Balochistan for Barite-Lead-Zinc (BLZ) project. Ends
