Islamabad: The United States seeks opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral resources, particularly in Baluchistan, as the Pakistani government prepares to host the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) on November 12 and 13.
The forum, originally scheduled for April 8 to April 9 in Islamabad, was postponed and is now being organised to attract international investors to the country's mining industry.
Speaking at a weekly briefing on Friday, October 16, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan was working to attract investment from countries worldwide rather than limiting opportunities to any single partner.
He said Pakistan possessed mineral reserves estimated at around USD 7 trillion, but emphasised that exploration and development were necessary to realise their economic potential.
The spokesperson identified the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a mechanism established to support investment and to facilitate prospective investors.
Pakistan already pursued cooperation with American companies in the critical minerals sector. In September 2025, the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and US Strategic Metals signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering mineral development, processing and logistics.
The proposed partnership included an initial investment framework of USD 500 million, with plans to explore establishing a mineral processing facility in Pakistan.
Separately, the Export Import Bank of the United States approved USD 1.25 billion in financing in December 2025, potentially supporting American equipment and services exports linked to Pakistan's mining sector.
Baluchistan’s Reko Diq copper and gold project remains a major focus of international interest. Barrick Mining, the Baluchistan government, and three federal state owned enterprises jointly own the project.
According to an updated feasibility study, Reko Diq is expected to require USD 8.83 billion in capital investment over its development, with initial production previously projected for late 2028.
However, security concerns, infrastructure requirements and financing constraints remain significant challenges for mining investment in Baluchistan.
The upcoming forum follows an earlier edition that attracted around 5,000 delegates from more than 50 countries and resulted in 16 memoranda of understanding.
Pakistan hopes the November gathering will generate further interest in mineral exploration, extraction and processing, although investment announcements and agreements will not necessarily translate into immediate operational projects.
