Key Players – Pakistan The Mineral Marvel

Overview

Pakistan’s mining sector thrives on collaboration between local expertise and international players, backed by a strong financial framework. This synergistic approach ensures the country remains a premier destination for mining investment and development. Pakistan’s mining sector is supported by a rich legacy of expertise in extractive resources, an established supply chain network, and a skilled labor force. Pakistan's mining sector benefits from strong access to financing from both domestic and international institutions. This financial backing ensures seamless development of large-scale projects.

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)

Since the 1950s, PPL has been a pioneer in Pakistan’s natural gas industry with origins in the UK’s Burmah Oil Company, carrying forward a century-old legacy of energy expertise. Over the past seven decades, PPL has remained a frontline player in the country’s energy sector, contributing 20% to Pakistan’s total natural gas supply, alongside significant production of crude oil, NGL, and LPG. The company’s aggressive exploration programme which includes international assets like offshore Block 5 in Abu Dhabi as well as national assets continues to optimize production and replenish reserves.

PPL has also been a leader and one of the first E&P companies in mining. In 1974, PPL established Bolan Mining Enterprises in partnership with Government of Balochistan to explore and extract minerals, including barite, iron, lead and zinc, from the region’s resource-rich belts. PPL also holds equity in Reko Diq, one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines, reinforcing its role in Pakistan’s mineral sector.

In addition to its business achievements, PPL is renowned for its corporate social responsibility. Managing one of the largest CSR programmes in Pakistan, the company invests over PKR 3 billion (USD 1.2 million) annually in diverse initiatives that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These efforts are aimed at improving the quality of life for underserved communities, reflecting PPL’s ongoing commitment to both business success and social welfare.

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL)

OGDCL boasts one of the largest footprints in the E&P sector in Pakistan, playing a pivotal role in maximising hydrocarbon output and ensuring the sustainable development of its oil and gas assets.

Driving its production activities while advancing field development to enhance efficiency and output, OGDCL has also launched an optimisation program to address geological challenges and curb natural production decline in aging fields. This program leverages in-house engineering human resource capacity, utilizing modern automation systems, and deploys information technology initiatives.

This holistic approach aims for both immediate production gains and long-term sustainability, with early successes already yielding significant enhancements in targeted fields. OGDCL has a stake in Reko Diq, the gold-copper mining project operated by Reko Diq Mining Company, a subsidiary of Barrick.

Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL)

Mari Energies Limited is a leading integrated exploration and production (E&P) company in Pakistan, ranking as the country’s second-largest gas producer with a significant ~28% market share. It also operates the historic Mari Gas Field, discovered in 1957 and producing since 1967, which continues to yield reserves after more than five decades.

As a cornerstone of Pakistan’s energy and food security, Mari Energies supplies over 90% of the gas used for fertilizer production. With over 68,000 sq. km of concession acreage nationwide, the company continues to drive innovation and exploration. Internationally, its acquisition of a 25% stake in an offshore block in Abu Dhabi marks a significant step in its global expansion.

2025 signifies a transformative milestone as the company evolves from Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) to Mari Energies Limited, embracing a future defined by energy and technology. Diversification is central to its strategy, with three key pillars: advanced oil and gas exploration, sustainable mineral development, and cutting-edge AI, machine learning, and cloud computing.

Mari Minerals Limited focuses on critical transition minerals, holding three licenses in the Chagai region and 1,500 sq. km of mining exploration acreage, supporting renewable energy technologies. Mari Technologies Limited enhances operational excellence and drives digital innovation.

The company’s FY 2024 achievements reflect its resilience and ambition, with a market capitalisation exceeding USD 3.5 billion and continued global and domestic growth. Mari Energies is committed to ESG principles, reducing its carbon footprint, and contributing to renewable energy and green hydrogen initiatives. Together with stakeholders, the company is shaping a sustainable and innovative future as a leader in energy transformation.

Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL)

GHPL was established in 2000 as a private limited company, wholly owned by the Government of Pakistan. GHPL is one of the largest oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) companies in Pakistan. Its primary objectives are to contribute towards meeting Pakistan’s growing energy demands by increasing domestic production from both conventional and non-conventional sources while ensuring optimal value for its stakeholders. In addition to the core business of upstream oil and gas sector, GHPL also has investments in LNG, energy infrastructure, and mining.

GHPL is also the licensee for offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Pakistan, under the Production Sharing Agreements regime.

Its diverse portfolio includes 100+ Development and Production Leases and 50+ exploration licenses across Pakistan, under various petroleum policies. GHPL also holds a working interest in offshore block-5 in Abu Dhabi in partnership with ADNOC and certain Pakistani E&P companies.

GHPL has also diversified into mining through its equity partnership in the world-class Reko Diq Mining Project in Balochistan, Pakistan, operated by Barrick Gold Corporation. GHPL and its SOEs partners have established Pakistan Minerals Private Limited (PMPL) to manage GHPL’s investment in the Reko Diq project. This flagship copper-gold project underscores GHPL’s commitment to supporting the country’s mineral sector, with a focus on leveraging its expertise to contribute to Pakistan's energy transition and industrial development.

Beyond its core business activities, GHPL supports multiple social development initiatives in its JV areas and undertakes corporate-level welfare activities, reaffirming its dedication to the communities it serves.

Pakistan Minerals (Private) Limited (PMPL)

PMPL is a strategic joint venture established by three of Pakistan’s leading state-owned enterprises: Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL). PMPL manages the investment of state-owned entities in the landmark Reko Diq project, recognised as the world’s largest copper and gold mine in development stage. Barrick Gold Corporation, a global mining leader, serves as the project’s operator, responsible for developing the mine, managing its operations, and conducting exploratory activities within the highly prospective Reko Diq exploration license area.

The Reko Diq project is currently being developed in two phases, with processing capacity exceeding 90 million tonnes of ore annually. It is expected to produce more than 400,000 tonnes of copper and 500,000 ounces of gold per year. The declared resource stands at over 5 billion tonnes of ore, covering only 5 out of 30+ known porphyry deposits in the region, highlighting the project’s immense upside potential. Full-scale construction is scheduled to commence in 2025, with production anticipated to begin in 2028. Once operational, Reko Diq is expected to position Pakistan among the top 10 copper producers globally. Even with additional phases significantly increasing the capacity, the project has the potential to sustain the production of copper and gold for over a century.

Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC)

PMDC, established in 1974, is a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), Government of Pakistan. PMDC is responsible for the exploration, mining, processing, and marketing of mineral resources. With its headquarters in Islamabad and regional offices in Peshawar, Quetta, and Multan, PMDC manages over 6,500 acres of land.

PMDC operates the world’s second-largest salt mine, the Khewra Salt Mine, which is the exclusive source of Khewra Pink Rock Salt—a globally recognized symbol of Pakistan’s natural wealth. Holding a 40% market share and with reserves exceeding 22.22 billion tonnes, PMDC leads the global Pink Rock Salt industry and holds the Geographical Indication (GI) certification for it.

Our diverse portfolio includes 5 Rock Salt Projects, 4 Coal Projects, and JVs in lead-Zinc, Copper, Soapstone, and Coal. Notably, PMDC successfully explored the Duddar Lead-Zinc project, later developed in partnership with MHD China & Muhammad Khel Copper Mining Project, North Waziristan—second largest Copper Mining project after Saindak.

PMDC holds Exploration Licenses for Antimony, Iron, Gold, PGEs, and Base metals in the resource-rich regions of Balochistan and the Himalayan mountain range—areas with significant potential for major discoveries.

As a Pakistan’s government-owned corporation, PMDC invite global investors to collaborate in joint exploration and development, focusing on Antimony, Iron, Gold, PGEs and Base Metals, value-added industries, including Khewra Pink Rock Salt export products and a Soda Ash manufacturing plant.

Balochistan Mineral Resource Limited (BMRL)

Unlocking the Province's Mineral Wealth:
Recognising the immense potential of Balochistan's mineral resources, the Government of Balochistan established Balochistan Mineral Resources Limited (BMRL) as a 100% owned commercial entity. BMRL's mandate is to drive the strategic and sustainable development of the province's mineral sector, ensuring long-term economic growth and prosperity for the people of Balochistan.

Core Objectives:
Attract and Facilitate Investment: Create a conducive environment for both domestic and international investors through streamlined processes, transparent regulations, and attractive incentives.
Develop Commercially Viable Projects: Foster the development of commercially viable mineral projects that maximize economic returns and minimize environmental impact.
Community Engagement: Prioritize the well-being of local communities, ensuring their equitable participation and benefit-sharing in all mining activities.
Sustainable Development: Champion environmentally responsible mining practices, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing long-term sustainability.
Value Addition: Encourage value addition through mineral processing and the development of downstream industries within Balochistan.

Key Achievements:
Reko Diq Partnership: BMRL is a significant shareholder (15% paid equity & 10% Free equity) in the Reko Diq project, a world-class copper-gold deposit poised to transform the province's economic landscape. With a declared resource exceeding 5 billion tonnes of ore, Reko Diq is expected to become a cornerstone of Pakistan's mining industry, contributing significantly to the national economy and generating over 8,000 direct and indirect jobs. Strategic Joint Ventures: BMRL has successfully forged strategic partnerships with reputable companies, including a joint venture with Platinum Mining Company for the development of fluorite mines in Loralai district.

Looking Ahead:
BMRL is committed to unlocking the full potential of Balochistan's mineral wealth through innovative approaches, sustainable practices, and strong partnerships. We will continue to attract investment, foster technological advancements, and prioritize community development to ensure a prosperous future for the province.

HTMA Private Limited

HTMA Private Limited is a business entity led by skilled geoscientists, metallurgists, environmentalists, industrialists, surveyors, IT professionals and mineral clustering experts. The company has a wide range of experience in mining, reviews of the regulatory regime, drafting of technical agreements, service agreements, and management of human resource capacity building for mining. Their experience includes planning and development, preparation of feasibility reports and their subsequent implementation.

They serve as a one-shop stop for investors in the mining sector providing tailor made solutions for technical and non-technical business-centric areas such as legal, equipment selection, conducting Impact Assessment studies and other such subjects. HTMA hold a special expertise in limestone, coal and rock salt mining.

Bolan Mining Enterprises (BME)

BME is a joint venture since 1974 between the Government of Balochistan and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) with each partner holding a 50% working interest. PPL was designated as operator under the joint venture agreement in 1974.

Being the largest barite producer in the country meeting most of the barite demand in the domestic oil and gas upstream sector. BME explores and produces from a Barite mining lease spanning 316 acres in district Khuzdar. BME projects also consist of iron ore mining concessions with significant acreage in Nokkundi Chigendik, Pachinkoh, and Dilband.

BME have a diverse portfolio of projects all within the Balochistan province at various stages in the exploration and production cycle.

Saindak Metals Limited (SML)

Saindak Copper-Gold Mine is located in Chagai districtof Balochistan province. Discovery of these deposits was made in the 1970s in collaboration with a Chinese engineering company and today SML fully owned by the Government of Pakistan holds these assets.

SML signed an agreement on October 23, 1990 with M/s MCC China Metallurgical Construction Corporation (MCC) for construction of Saindak Copper-Gold project on turnkey basis. The Agreement contained clauses of facility of supplier credit lines with significant investment against which equipment / machinery were to be supplied by theContractor (MCC).

As technical support consultants SML provides a vareity of services such as Exploration and Surveying, Drilling and Blasting, Mine Design, Development and Construction, Equipment Rental and Maintenance and Mineral Processing and Refining. SML also have a social investment project portfolio around the Saindak mines. Projects such as facilitating education, healthcare, water supply and infrastructure development are scattered around the asset area for te betterment of local communities.

BIAFO Industries Limited (BIAFO)

BIAFO are a crucial service provider to mining companies, specialising in manufacturing explosives and blasting accessories. Selected as one of the top 25 companies by the Pakistan Stock Exchange, BIAFO hold international certifications which add to their market reputation. At present they are agents for Tovex, which was created by Dupont in 1974 as an alternative to the traditional dynamite-based explosives. The Dupont technology was purchased by Explosive Technology International (ETI) in 1988 and in 2007 by Dyno Nobel of the USA. BIAFO holds the Pakistan license for it adhering to the international formula and working in compliance with the stringent health and safety regulations in place for manufacturing, handling and storing of this potentially hazardous material.

BIAFO have been established suppliers for various mining operations scattered across the county, including the mines in Saindak, limestone quarries, seismic surveys, road construction and mining in quarries. Apart from their state-of-the-art manufacturing unit BIAFO also have s strong technical support team to supplement their sales.

Wah Noble (Private) Limited

Founded in 1962, Wah Nobel is a joint venture between the Pakistan Ordinance Factories (Government of Pakistan), Saab AB Dynamics (Sweden) and the Al-Misehal Group (Saudi Arabia). Wah Nobel is a multinational group with six companies on its orbit. A well-reputed leading manufacturer of commercial explosives, detonators and industrial chemicals the company also has a trading division. Providing state of the art quality products and blasting services as one-stop solution on various infrastructure / CPEC projects includes Mining / infrastructural development projects, Road / Tunnels, construction industries and oil and gas seismic surveys exploration to name a few. All the Mega Infrastructure Projects of the country have a mark of Wah Nobel.

Wah Nobel are signatories on a Joint Venture Agreement with Modern Chemicals Services (MCS) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the EPC Groupe from France. This agreement enables to provide state of the art drilling and blasting services along with latest technology Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Unit (MEMU) for large scale mining and infrastructure projects. Being a joint venture partner with leading companies from Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, Sweden, France and China underscores the capabilities, reliability and competitive edge Wah Nobel holds.

We are interested to offer our most advanced and competitive drilling and blasting services as a one-stop solution for any mining, construction and infrastructural projects in the Saudi Arabia, Middle East or elsewhere! Looking forward to establishing a successful and mutually beneficial collaboration.