ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in developing its mineral sector with the signing of 13 strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Joint Ventures (JVs), and international agreements at Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) 2026.
The partnerships involve leading global mining firms and geological agencies from Türkiye, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Australia, with a strong focus on exploration in Balochistan and modernising Pakistan’s geological infrastructure.
Several high-profile joint ventures were finalised to explore and develop copper, gold, gemstones, and critical minerals across Balochistan.
Mari Minerals and Lidya Mining (Türkiye) signed a strategic framework for mineral exploration and development in Chagai, Balochistan. The agreement was exchanged by Mustafa Aksoy, CEO of Lidya Mining.
Mari Minerals and MTAIC (Türkiye) entered a joint venture framework with MTA International Company (MTAIC) to explore and develop copper, gold, and associated mineral deposits in Chagai. Dr. Nail Yildirim, General Manager of MTAIC, represented the Turkish side.
Mari Minerals and Ivanhoe Atlantic agreed to a strategic framework for mineral exploration and mining projects in Chagai. The documents were exchanged by Faheem Haider, MD/CEO of Mari Minerals, and Bradley Doig, CEO of I-Pulse Technologies.
The Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) partnered with MTAIC to explore antimony, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, and other critical minerals in Pishin, Balochistan. PMDC CEO Engineer Asad and MTAIC GM Dr. Nail Yildirim exchanged the agreement.
PMDC and International Geosciences Services (UK) formed a joint venture for JORC-compliant gemstone resource assessment and the development of a replicable model mine. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, Dr. Fergal Murphy, and PMDC CEO Engineer Asad participated in the exchange.
To build domestic analytical capabilities and deploy advanced exploration technologies, Pakistani companies secured agreements with international specialists:
Mineral Assay Laboratory: Mari Minerals and UK-based MSALABS Limited (a subsidiary of Capital Limited) formed a joint venture—incorporated as Mari MSA Labs (Private) Limited—to establish a state-of-the-art commercial mineral assay laboratory in Pakistan. Brian Rudd, Executive Director of Capital Limited, attended the exchange.
Airborne Geophysical Surveys: Globacore Minerals signed an agreement with Shift Geophysics and Southern Geosciences to conduct airborne geophysical surveys, exchanged by Globacore CEO Ali Mukhtar and Development Manager Takashi Sato.
Ambient Noise Tomography: Globacore Minerals also partnered with Fleet Space ANT for ambient noise tomography, with Executive Sales Leader Patricio James representing Fleet Space.
FWO and Ivanhoe Mines: The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) signed an MoU with Ivanhoe Mines to collaborate on mineral exploration and mining projects in Chagai. FWO CEO Engineer Abdul Sami and Ivanhoe Mines Founder and Co-Chairman Robert Friedland exchanged the MoU.
The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) formalised multiple government-to-government partnerships to enhance technical capacity and geological research:
Japan: Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi and Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Hamed Yaqub Sheikh exchanged a Statement of Intent to strengthen support for the GSP.
Türkiye: A tripartite MoU was signed between the GSP, Türkiye’s General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), and MTAIC, exchanged by GSP Director General Adnan Alam Awan, MTA Director General Vedat Yanik, and MTAIC GM Dr. Nail Yildirim.
Germany: GSP Director General Adnan Alam Awan and Dr. Volker Steinbach, Vice President of Germany’s Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), exchanged an MoU on geoscientific cooperation.
United Kingdom: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and Dr. Hamid Ashraf exchanged an MoU between the GSP and the British Geological Survey. High Commissioner Marriott also presented a commemorative shield to GSP Director General Adnan Alam Awan to mark the completion of GSP’s capacity-building program under the UK-supported REMIT initiative.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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