ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will use the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 to explore opportunities in critical minerals and energy-transition resources, with investors and industry experts set to examine how the country can participate in emerging global mineral supply chains.
PMIF 2026 will be held in Islamabad on November 12 and 13, with the programme placing critical minerals, mineral processing, exploration, technology and value addition at the centre of discussions on the future of Pakistan’s mining sector.
The forum will bring together government representatives, mining companies, investors, financiers and technical experts to examine investment opportunities and the challenges involved in developing mineral resources.
A dedicated session on critical minerals will examine changing global demand for resources associated with the energy transition. The agenda includes copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements.
The discussions come as mineral supply chains are gaining greater importance for industries linked to energy, manufacturing and advanced technologies. The forum will examine the opportunity for Pakistan to develop a role in these emerging supply chains by attracting investment into exploration, extraction and processing.
However, the programme goes beyond mineral extraction and places considerable emphasis on value addition.
Technical sessions will examine beneficiation, processing technologies, automation, waste reduction and recovery of by-products, reflecting an emphasis on developing greater economic value from mineral resources within the country.
The technical conference accompanying PMIF 2026 will feature more than 50 peer-reviewed papers covering mineral exploration, resource assessment, critical minerals, energy-transition minerals, processing, technology and sustainability.
The forum will also discuss the financing challenges associated with mineral exploration. Under the session “Backing the Drill Bit: Capital Deployment in Early-Stage Mineral Exploration”, financiers, lenders and mining-sector experts will examine mechanisms for mobilising capital for exploration while managing geological and financial risks.
Early-stage exploration requires substantial investment before commercially viable deposits can be established. Improving access to exploration finance could therefore help expand Pakistan’s pipeline of mining projects.
The programme will also examine geological data and international cooperation. Better geological information can reduce uncertainty for investors by providing a clearer understanding of mineral prospects before major capital commitments are made.
Infrastructure will remain another critical consideration, particularly for projects located in remote areas. Discussions will cover transport links, power, water, export corridors, security and CPEC connectivity.
The forum’s emphasis on processing and skills development also highlights the requirements for building a broader mining ecosystem. The National Minerals Capability Development Programme will focus on developing technical and professional expertise needed in geology, mining engineering, processing and environmental management.
