Pakistan to Host Global Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad on November 12–13

Pakistan will host the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26) in Islamabad on November 12–13, gathering global mining executives, investors, policymakers, financial institutions and technical experts to explore opportunities in the country's minerals sector and deepen ties with international mineral supply chains. The event is organised by the Government of Pakistan and endorsed by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), with the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) serving as founding partner.

Organisers said the forum builds on the momentum of PMIF25 by deepening international engagement, highlighting policy reforms and opening new avenues for investment, exploration, processing and sustainable mining. The opening day will focus on financing early-stage exploration, developing a future-ready mining workforce and expanding women's participation in the sector. Participants will also examine next-generation mining projects, including discoveries from active licences, antimony developments and strategies for bringing projects into production.

A dedicated session on strengthening geological survey collaboration will explore how data sharing and technical partnerships can reduce exploration risk and support investment. Another session will examine capability development as international capital converges on Reko Diq and beyond, outlining the national capability development programme and initiatives led by state-owned enterprises. The day will conclude with a certificate presentation ceremony for graduates of the programme's first two cohorts.

The second day will feature a government dialogue on building investor-ready mining jurisdictions, with ministers from different countries discussing policy reforms, value creation, regional collaboration, local content, skills development and long-term industrial growth. Strategic announcements across Pakistan's mineral value chain are also scheduled. A session titled “License to Deliver: Building Trust, Infrastructure & Export Corridors” will address the infrastructure needed for large-scale mining, from last-mile logistics and export corridors to rail, power, water and CPEC connectivity, alongside social licence and ESG considerations.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are among the key speakers. Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik will deliver the welcome address. The international speaker line-up includes Robert Friedland of Ivanhoe Mines, John L. Thornton of Barrick Mining Corporation, Patrick Barnes of Wood Mackenzie, Colin James Davies of International Resources Holding, Isabel Chatterton of the Asian Development Bank and Jarmo Tarkiainen of Metso Middle East.

Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik invited global investors, mining companies and international partners to participate, saying Pakistan's vast mineral resources offer significant investment opportunities and that the government is working to create a transparent, investor-friendly environment. PMIF President and MD/CEO OGDC Ahmed Hayat Lak said major industry players of global standing would attend, giving world leaders a chance to assess the sector's potential. The forum will also host a technical conference featuring more than 50 peer-reviewed papers on Pakistan's mineral geology, along with access to geological survey data and technology benchmarking against international best practices.