Islamabad: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik conducted a series of bilateral meetings with prominent international mining and investment companies during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF), underscoring Pakistan’s focus on bolstering foreign investment and fostering global partnerships in the minerals sector.

According to Press Information Department, Minister Malik engaged in discussions with several key figures, including Mr. John Thornton, Chairman of Barrick Mining Corporation, along with senior leaders from the company; Mr. Andrew Neilson, Chief Executive of Weir, a Scottish mining and engineering firm; Mr. Ibrahim El Gazzar, Head of Metals and Minerals (MENA) at Trafigura; and Mr. Mustafa Aksoy, CEO of Türkiye’s Çalik Holding. A notable meeting also took place with a delegation led by Mr. Robert Friedland of Ivanhoe.

Mr. Neilson of Weir expressed the company’s interest in furthering its involvement in Pakistan’s mining sector, with plans to explore projects beyond its current engagement in Reko Diq. Mr. El Gazzar from Trafigura highlighted the company’s interest in Pakistan’s Zinc-Barite project and potential opportunities in the LPG, bonded storage, and refinery sectors.

Mr. Thornton of Barrick Mining commended the continued engagement with Pakistan, noting the positive experiences of previous visits. Additionally, a significant development occurred with the signing of an agreement between Ivanhoe Atlantic and Mari Minerals, aimed at exploring copper and gold deposits in Chagai, Balochistan. This agreement signifies an intent to evaluate the region’s mineral potential and explore development opportunities.

Minister Malik welcomed the heightened interest from international firms and emphasized the PMIF’s role in connecting global investors with Pakistan’s investment opportunities, fostering partnerships, and realizing the country’s mineral wealth.