Pakistan is stepping into a new era of mineral development by opening competitive bidding rounds for large-scale copper and gold licences, following the restructuring of the Reko Diq project—one of the world’s largest undeveloped porphyry copper-gold deposits. The government aims to attract global mining investors to frontier exploration zones across Balochistan and other mineral-rich provinces.
The Reko Diq settlement has significantly boosted investor confidence. After years of legal disputes and arbitration, the project’s resolution showcased Pakistan’s ability to negotiate complex agreements and provide a stable legal framework for major mining ventures. Leveraging this momentum, authorities are now offering new exploration blocks under transparent fiscal and regulatory terms, designed to appeal to international operators.
The bidding rounds prioritize geological potential, long-term investment security, and enhanced regional coordination. Pakistan’s porphyry belts hold substantial copper and gold resources, but past development has been limited by fragmented regulation, insufficient infrastructure, and political uncertainty. The new framework addresses these barriers with streamlined permitting, digital licence registries, and improved federal-provincial collaboration.
Copper is attracting global attention as supply tightens amid rising demand, while gold continues to appeal as a reliable financial hedge. For investors, Pakistan’s emerging exploration landscape presents both opportunity and risk, with security concerns and logistical challenges remaining key considerations.
If Pakistan maintains regulatory stability and capitalizes on the positive momentum from Reko Diq, it has the potential to become a major destination for large-scale copper and gold investment, strengthening its role in the global mineral market over the coming decade.
