Islamabad, September 9, 2025: Pakistan has opened a new chapter in its mining sector as Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met a high-level US delegation on Monday to discuss opportunities for investment in critical minerals and infrastructure. The delegation included representatives from United States Strategic Metals (USSM) and Mota-Engil, leading global companies in mining, mineral processing, and construction.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and senior federal ministers also attended the meeting.
The US companies are exploring avenues to expand mining operations in Pakistan, add value to mineral resources, and develop supporting infrastructure. During their visit, the delegation also met the Chief of Army Staff, Minister of Petroleum, and Minister of Commerce, where they were briefed on Pakistan’s vast mineral reserves, including copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements (REEs).
Two key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit, marking a breakthrough in Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign investment:
- FWO–USSM agreement: Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO), the country’s largest miner of critical minerals, signed a landmark MoU with USSM, a St. Louis-based processor and recycler of strategic metals. The agreement covers collaboration on a wide range of critical minerals vital for the defence, aerospace, and technology sectors. Immediate exports of antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and REEs are planned, with future plans for establishing a poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan. The project’s first phase is expected to bring in $500 million of investment, boosting processing capacity and creating new jobs.
- NLC–Mota-Engil agreement: The National Logistics Corporation signed an MoU with Mota-Engil Group, a global leader in engineering and construction. The partnership will focus on logistics services tied to mining and identify priority markets where the company can align with Pakistan’s development vision.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the agreements, describing them as a milestone in Pakistan–US bilateral ties, with potential for sustainable growth, technology transfer, and employment generation.
Officials said the cooperation will emphasize sustainability, profitability, and environmental responsibility, ensuring long-term benefits for both countries. Innovative financing models, including tokenisation of critical minerals, are also being explored to attract global investors and enhance transparency in the sector.
The visit underscores Pakistan’s push to unlock the potential of its untapped mineral wealth, positioning the country as a future hub for critical minerals and strategic infrastructure development.
