{
  "id": 16073087,
  "title": "Pakistan as an Emerging Power in Global Minerals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/pakistan-as-an-emerging-power-in-global-minerals",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-22T16:29:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/22/pakistan-as-an-emerging-power-in-global-minerals/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Title: Pakistan's Emergence as a Key Player in Global Minerals Market\n\nAs the world transitions towards clean energy, the demand for critical minerals like copper, lithium, and rare earth elements is skyrocketing. Countries across the globe are vying for control over these resources, recognizing their pivotal role in powering electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and modern technologies. Amidst this surge in demand, Pakistan is emerging as a rising star in the global critical minerals economy.\n\nPakistan boasts extensive mineral deposits, estimated at $8 trillion, spread across 600,000 square kilometers. This includes over 92 minerals, with 52 commercially extracted. However, the country's mineral wealth remains largely untapped, offering immense potential for economic growth and development.\n\nTo capitalize on this opportunity, Pakistan has introduced the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework. This policy aims to standardize mining rules across provinces, simplify licensing procedures, and attract global investment into the sector. Additionally, the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) has been established as a platform for local and international investors to explore partnerships in exploration, processing, and downstream industries.\n\nOne of the most significant mineral discoveries in recent years is the Reko Diq copper-gold project in Balochistan. Owned by Barrick Mining Corporation, this project is estimated to have a 37-year mine life, with total capital investment of $8.83 billion. The project is projected to generate $90 billion in operating cash flow and $70 billion in free cash flow over its mine life. This development is a testament to Pakistan's vast mineral potential and its capacity to attract significant global investment.\n\nAnother promising development is the recent discovery of lithium in formation water from a high-temperature geothermal well in Sindh. This is the first such discovery in Pakistan and is being further evaluated for commercial viability. The discovery is significant because it utilizes geothermal formation water, a more sustainable and potentially less costly method of extraction compared to traditional hard-rock mining.\n\nPakistan's strategic position within the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt also adds to its mineral-rich profile. This massive mineral corridor, stretching from southeastern Europe through Turkey, the Middle East, and into Pakistan, is associated with significant copper and gold deposits. This geological setting presents unique opportunities for large-scale mining and exploration.\n\nIn conclusion, Pakistan's mineral wealth and strategic location offer significant opportunities for economic growth and development. By turning its geological potential into commercially viable projects, attracting investment, and developing downstream industries, Pakistan can position itself as a key player in the global critical minerals market. The country's challenge now is to leverage its mineral wealth to drive economic growth and development.",
  "summary": "By Arshad Ali The global race to secure critical minerals has entered a new phase as the energy transition, technological … Read More The post Pakistan as an Emerging Power in Global Minerals appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}