U.S. Firms Eye Investment in Pakistan’s Untapped Minerals Sector, Says Government:

U.S. companies are looking to invest in Pakistan’s underdeveloped mineral sector, which holds some of the world’s largest deposits of copper and gold, according to a statement from the Pakistani government on Wednesday.

Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, expressed this interest during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. The discussion followed Meyer’s participation in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum—an international summit aimed at attracting foreign capital into the country’s mining industry.

Reko Diq at the Center of Global Interest

The mineral-rich region of Reko Diq in Balochistan has emerged as a focal point of interest. Despite the region’s instability due to Baloch separatist insurgencies, international players including Canada-based Barrick Gold are exploring opportunities. Pakistan’s military chief, Gen. Asim Munir, assured investors that the military would provide full security for foreign projects.

Global Participation and Sector Potential

The summit drew delegations from the U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the U.K., and Azerbaijan, among others. In addition to gold and copper, Pakistan also holds lithium and other key mineral reserves critical for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles.

Washington's Renewed Interest in Pakistan

Meyer emphasized the strategic potential of Pakistan’s mineral sector and reiterated Washington’s desire to expand cooperation across trade, investment, and security. He also marked this visit as the first from a Trump administration official since the U.S. imposed a 29% tariff on Pakistani exports under its trade war policies.

Sharif Encourages U.S. Investment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed U.S. engagement and invited American firms to tap into the country’s vast mineral resources. “Pakistan offers immense opportunities in its minerals sector,” he said, affirming Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Trump administration.