Ivanhoe, Mari Minerals sign deal to explore copper, gold in Balochistan

Ivanhoe Mines and Mari Minerals have signed an agreement to explore copper and gold deposits in Balochistan’s Chagai district, marking a new development in Pakistan’s efforts to attract investment in its mineral sector.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad. It will enable the two companies to assess the potential of mineral resources in the district.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik attended the signing ceremony.

On the sidelines of the forum, Malik also held a series of meetings with senior executives of international mining, engineering and investment companies to discuss opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral sector.

He met Barrick Corporation Chairman John Thornton and the company’s senior leadership. Thornton said he was always pleased to visit Pakistan, reflecting the company’s continued engagement with the country.

In a separate meeting, Weir Chief Executive Andrew Neilson expressed the British mining and engineering company’s interest in expanding its involvement in Pakistan beyond the Reko Diq project to other mineral development initiatives.

Trafigura’s Head of Metals and Minerals for the Middle East and North Africa, Ibrahim El Gazzar, conveyed the company’s interest in Pakistan’s zinc and barite projects.

Trafigura also expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), bonded storage and refinery sectors.

The petroleum minister also met Mustafa Aksoy, chief executive of Turkish company Calik Holding, and a delegation from Ivanhoe Mines led by Robert Friedland.

Malik said the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum provided an important platform to connect international investors with opportunities in the country’s mineral sector.

He said growing interest from international companies reflected Pakistan’s increasing potential for investment in mineral resources.