Pakistan’s Much-Hyped Minerals Forum Ends With No Big-Ticket Foreign Investment, 13 MoUs Signed

Last Updated:November 14, 2026, 9:31 PM IST

The Minerals Investment Forum 2026, produced 13 agreements with officials pointing to growing international interest

The Minerals Investment Forum 2026, which was a two-day event, ended in Islamabad on November 13. (Image: Sourced)

Pakistan’s minerals forum ended with 13 agreements, but no big-ticket foreign investment even as there was much hype over an estimated $8 trillion of mineral potential.

The Minerals Investment Forum 2026, which was a two-day event, ended in Islamabad on Friday (November 13). It produced 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs), with officials pointing to growing international interest. But, none is a binding financial commitment or a direct investment.

With a substantial turnout of more than 10,000 delegates from over 60 countries, including representatives of Barrick Mining, Ivanhoe Mines and China’s Minmetals, the forum produced fewer deals than the previous edition that drew 5,000 delegates and witnessed 16 MoUs signed.

Ivanhoe Mines and Mari Minerals signed an agreement to explore copper and gold deposits in Balochistan’s Chagai district. The Frontier Works Organisation also signed an MoU with Ivanhoe Mines on joint exploration and mining projects in Chagai.

Turkish companies joined exploration work in Balochistan, while the United Kingdom is to help set up an advanced mineral testing laboratory. Japan and Germany have deepened support for geological and geoscience cooperation, and the British Geological Survey signed an MoU on geoscience cooperation. Airborne geophysical surveys were also announced. Pakistani media reported a further development after the forum: Mari Energies announced a copper-gold discovery in Chagai, following its MoU with Ivanhoe Mines.

According to sources, officials remain upbeat. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik told delegates that Pakistan “is open for long-term mining investment” and promised security for mine sites, logistics and trained personnel, as per Arab News.

Authorities said they plan to end raw mineral exports in favour of value-added processing, and target $8 billion in annual mineral exports.

Arab News reported that work on Pakistan’s coal mines and other deposits has slowed because of a deteriorating security situation. Another report noted that Barrick previously delayed work on the Reko Diq copper and gold project after the US-Iran war broke out.

Pakistan has also leaned on MoUs before. In September 2025 the Frontier Works Organisation signed two with Missouri-based US Strategic Metals on critical minerals, including rare-earth elements.

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What were the main outcomes of the Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad?

The two-day Minerals Investment Forum 2026 concluded on November 13, 2026, with 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding signed. However, officials noted that none of these agreements represent a binding financial commitment or direct investment.

Which international and local companies signed exploration deals in Balochistan?

Ivanhoe Mines and Mari Minerals signed an agreement to explore copper and gold deposits in Balochistan’s Chagai district, while the Frontier Works Organisation also partnered with Ivanhoe Mines on joint exploration projects. Additionally, Turkish companies joined regional exploration efforts.

What are Pakistan’s long-term export and development goals for its mineral sector?

Authorities plan to end raw mineral exports to prioritize value-added processing and are targeting $8 billion in annual mineral exports. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that Pakistan is open for long-term mining investments and promised security for mine sites, logistics, and personnel.

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Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18

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