ISLAMABAD: Financing, infrastructure, geological uncertainty and a shortage of specialised skills will be among the key challenges examined at PMIF 2026 as Pakistan seeks to move mineral discoveries from exploration stages towards commercially viable mining projects.
The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum will be held in Islamabad on November 12 and 13, bringing together investors, lenders, mining companies, government officials and technical experts.
One of the key sessions, “Backing the Drill Bit: Capital Deployment in Early-Stage Mineral Exploration”, will focus on the difficulty of securing financing for projects at a stage when geological uncertainty remains high and revenues are yet to be generated.
The session will bring together financiers, lenders and mining-sector experts to discuss ways of mobilising capital and managing exploration risks.
The issue is significant for the mining sector because substantial expenditure is required before a mineral discovery can be established as a commercially viable deposit. Greater availability of exploration finance could help increase the number of projects progressing from geological discovery to development.
The forum’s opening session, “Building Investor-Ready Mining Jurisdictions”, will examine the policy and institutional conditions required to attract long-term investment.
Policy certainty, local content, value creation, skills development and regional cooperation will form part of the discussions, with the objective of examining requirements for large-scale and capital-intensive mining investments.
Infrastructure will constitute another major component of the forum. Under the session “License to Deliver: Building Trust, Infrastructure and Export Corridors”, participants will examine rail connectivity, power supply, water availability, security, export routes and CPEC connectivity.
Infrastructure can be particularly important for mining projects located in remote areas, where the availability and cost of transport, electricity and water can influence project development requirements.
The discussions will also cover environmental, social and governance considerations and the potential role of public-private partnerships in developing infrastructure required by mining projects.
Geological information will receive separate attention, with Pakistan’s Geological Survey and international geological organisations expected to discuss technical cooperation and data sharing.
Access to reliable geological data can help investors assess mineral prospects and reduce uncertainty before committing substantial funds to exploration.
The forum will also examine the transition from discovery to commercial production through discussions on Pakistan’s next-generation mining projects, including major discoveries from active licences and developments involving antimony.
Reko Diq will remain an important reference point in discussions on large-scale mining development, including investment, infrastructure and technical requirements.
Alongside financing and infrastructure, PMIF 2026 will focus on human-resource development. The National Minerals Capability Development Programme will highlight the need for domestic expertise in geology, mining engineering, mineral processing and environmental management.
The broader programme reflects an emphasis on developing an ecosystem covering exploration, extraction, processing and exports rather than focusing solely on individual mining projects.
