ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured 13 strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), joint ventures (JVs) and international agreements with leading global mining companies and geological institutions at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26), marking a significant step towards accelerating mineral exploration, attracting foreign investment and modernising the country’s geological infrastructure.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The agreements involve international partners from Türkiye, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia, with a particular focus on exploring and developing mineral resources in Balochistan, including copper, gold, gemstones, antimony and other critical minerals.
Several strategic partnerships were finalised to explore and develop mineral deposits in Chagai, one of Pakistan’s key mineral-rich districts.
Mari Minerals signed a strategic framework agreement with Türkiye-based Lidya Mining for mineral exploration and development in Chagai. The agreement was exchanged by Lidya Mining CEO Mustafa Aksoy.
In another development, Mari Minerals entered into a joint venture framework with Türkiye’s MTA International Company (MTAIC) to explore and develop copper, gold and associated mineral deposits in the district. MTAIC General Manager Dr Nail Yildirim represented the Turkish company.
Mari Minerals also signed a strategic framework with Ivanhoe Atlantic for mineral exploration and mining projects in Chagai. The documents were exchanged by Mari Minerals Managing Director and CEO Faheem Haider and Ivanhoe Atlantic CEO Bradley Doig.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) partnered with MTAIC to explore antimony, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum and other critical minerals in Pishin, Balochistan. The agreement was exchanged by PMDC CEO Engineer Asad and MTAIC General Manager Dr Nail Yildirim.
In another important collaboration, PMDC and UK-based International Geosciences Services established a joint venture for JORC-compliant gemstone resource assessment and the development of a replicable model mine. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and Dr Fergal Murphy participated in the agreement exchange alongside PMDC CEO Engineer Asad.
Strengthening Mineral Testing and Exploration Technologies
The agreements also aim to strengthen Pakistan’s domestic mineral testing and analytical capabilities through international technical partnerships and advanced exploration technologies.
Mari Minerals and UK-based MSALABS Limited, a subsidiary of Capital Limited, established a joint venture through the incorporation of Mari MSA Labs (Private) Limited to develop a modern commercial mineral assay laboratory in Pakistan. Capital Limited Executive Director Brian Rudd attended the agreement exchange.
The facility is expected to strengthen local mineral testing and analytical services, reducing reliance on overseas laboratories and supporting the country’s expanding exploration industry.
Separately, Globacore Minerals signed an agreement with Shift Geophysics and Southern Geosciences to undertake airborne geophysical surveys. The agreement was exchanged by Globacore CEO Ali Mukhtar and Development Manager Takashi Sato.
Globacore Minerals also entered into a partnership with Fleet Space ANT for the deployment of ambient noise tomography technology to support advanced geological exploration. Fleet Space Executive Sales Leader Patricio James represented the company.
FWO Partners with Ivanhoe Mines
The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ivanhoe Mines to collaborate on mineral exploration and mining projects in Chagai, Balochistan.
The agreement was exchanged by FWO CEO Engineer Abdul Sami and Ivanhoe Mines Founder and Co-Chairman Robert Friedland, reflecting another international partnership aimed at developing Pakistan’s mineral resources.
International Cooperation to Modernise Geological Infrastructure
The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) also formalised several government-to-government partnerships to enhance geological research, technical expertise and institutional capacity.
Under the Japan partnership, Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi and Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Hamed Yaqub Sheikh exchanged a Statement of Intent aimed at strengthening technical support for the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was also signed among the GSP, Türkiye’s General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) and MTA International Company. The agreement was exchanged by GSP Director General Adnan Alam Awan, MTA Director General Vedat Yanik and MTAIC General Manager Dr Nail Yildirim.
Pakistan also signed a geoscientific cooperation agreement with Germany’s Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). The MoU was exchanged by GSP Director General Adnan Alam Awan and BGR Vice President Dr Volker Steinbach.
In addition, the Geological Survey of Pakistan and the British Geological Survey formalised an MoU to strengthen technical and scientific cooperation. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and Dr Hamid Ashraf participated in the exchange.
On the occasion, High Commissioner Marriott also presented a commemorative shield to GSP Director General Adnan Alam Awan to mark the successful completion of GSP’s capacity-building programme under the UK-supported REMIT initiative.
The 13 agreements signed at PMIF26 reflect Pakistan’s efforts to expand international cooperation in mineral exploration, introduce modern technologies, develop domestic processing and testing capabilities and strengthen institutional expertise.
The partnerships are expected to support the development of Pakistan’s largely untapped mineral resources, particularly in Balochistan, while creating opportunities for foreign investment, technology transfer, skilled employment and long-term industrial growth.
Story by Wasim Iqbal
