Pakistan has reaffirmed China’s central role in transforming its mineral sector from a raw extraction economy into a value-added, technology-driven mining industry, as global competition intensifies for critical minerals and rare earth resources.

At the Pak-China Mineral Cooperation Forum in Islamabad, senior policymakers, Chinese investors and industry leaders gathered to unlock the estimated $8 trillion worth of mineral resources buried across Pakistan — shifting focus from extraction to processing, refining and industrial manufacturing.

Pak-China Strategic Cooperation in Mining

The forum marked a major milestone in Pakistan–China mineral cooperation, reinforcing Beijing’s role as Pakistan’s strategic partner in building a complete mining value chain.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan’s focal person for CPEC, highlighted that Chinese collaboration has already transformed sectors such as energy, infrastructure and industrial connectivity — and mining is now emerging as the next pillar of economic cooperation.

“Pakistan wants strategic partners like China to help develop mineral processing plants, smelters, refining facilities and mineral-based industrial units,” he said.

Launch of Pak-China E-Mining Platform

A key highlight of the forum was the launch of the Pak-China E-Mining Platform, a digital initiative designed to:

• Improve information sharing

• Connect mining projects with investors

• Enhance transparency and efficiency

• Strengthen cross-border collaboration

This platform aims to modernize Pakistan’s mining ecosystem by enabling data-driven investment decisions and smoother coordination between Pakistani authorities and Chinese enterprises.

MoUs Signed to Strengthen Mining Value Chain

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the forum, signaling strong investor confidence in Pakistan’s mineral sector.

Key Agreements Included:

• PMDC, POWERCHINA International & Pak China Investment Company Limited
  → Cooperation on investment facilitation, technical expertise and joint mineral development

• Wah Nobel (Pvt) Limited & MCCT International
  → Framework for digital cross-border industrial trade

• JW Corporation & MCCT International
  → Enhancing industrial connectivity and trade cooperation

These agreements reflect Pakistan’s commitment to moving beyond raw exports and establishing downstream mineral industries.

Sustainability & Responsible Mining at the Core

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed China’s interest in supporting capacity building, technology transfer and sustainable mining practices in Pakistan.

He emphasized the importance of:

• Environmentally responsible extraction

• International construction benchmarks

• Long-term economic sustainability

This aligns with Pakistan’s updated policy direction towards responsible and value-added mineral development.

Mining as a New Pillar of Pak-China Economic Cooperation

According to CCCPK Chairman Wang Huihua, mining and minerals are rapidly emerging as a new strategic pillar in Pak-China relations.

The China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan pledged to:

• Facilitate responsible investment

• Promote dialogue between enterprises

• Strengthen public–private cooperation

With over 800 participants, including 70+ Chinese companies and 100+ Pakistani firms, the forum demonstrated strong bilateral momentum.

Investment Invitation: Minerals Investment Forum 2026

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik formally invited Chinese companies to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, assuring:

• Policy stability

• Streamlined approvals

• Federal–provincial coordination

Pakistan aims to position itself as a reliable long-term partner in the global mineral supply chain — especially for critical and rare earth minerals essential for clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

What This Means for B2B Investors & Industry

For international investors, EPC contractors, technology providers and industrial partners, Pakistan’s mining sector now offers:

• Large untapped mineral reserves
• Government-backed policy support
• Strategic CPEC connectivity
• Growing demand for processing & refining infrastructure

At BTOB Services, we closely track such developments to help businesses identify investment opportunities, partnerships and policy insights across Pakistan’s emerging sectors.