Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Thursday met a delegation from Nova Minerals Ltd., a US-based mining exploration and development company listed on the ASX and NASDAQ, to discuss potential investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
During the meeting, the minister said Pakistan held vast and largely untapped potential in minerals and mining, noting that the country offered opportunities in exploration and local processing of high-value resources. He emphasised that foreign investment in mining could strengthen economic partnerships, promote technology transfer, and create avenues for skill development and higher education.
He added that the government aimed to shift from exporting raw minerals to promoting local mineral processing and industrial expansion. The BOI, he assured, would extend full facilitation to foreign investors and joint ventures.
The Nova Minerals delegation expressed strong interest in investment prospects in antimony, rare earth minerals, and related mining activities. They said Pakistan’s geological diversity, policy reforms and government support made it attractive for long-term investment, and signalled their intent to pursue technical collaboration, knowledge exchange and feasibility studies with local partners.
Minister Sheikh welcomed the company’s interest and said the government encouraged responsible, technology-driven ventures focused on sustainability and local value addition. He said such projects would help build an investment ecosystem capable of attracting more global firms to Pakistan’s mining sector.
He also noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif supported foreign investment and joint ventures as drivers of economic growth. Concluding the meeting, the minister reiterated that the BOI would continue to facilitate investors through a transparent and efficient framework to ensure Pakistan’s resources contribute to sustainable economic development.
