Pakistan extends an invitation to Swedish companies to mine outside of Reko Diq.
In an effort to boost foreign investment and unlock the potential of its mainly unexplored mineral resources, Pakistan is pushing Swedish firms to become more involved in the nation’s mining industry outside of the flagship Reko Diq project.
According to an official statement, the invitation was made by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik during a meeting with Sweden’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alexandra Berg von Linde. During the meeting, the two parties talked about enhancing economic cooperation and finding new areas of collaboration in the mining and energy sectors.
The talks emphasised the long-standing connections between the two nations, as Swedish companies are already involved in a variety of industries, from industrial manufacturing and packaging to transportation and telecommunications.
The Swedish ambassador claims that over 40 businesses are presently members of the Swedish Business Council in Pakistan, highlighting Sweden’s well-established business presence there.
According to Von Linde, the statement highlights Sweden’s global expertise in sectors including mining digitalisation, sustainable extraction, environmental safeguards, and specialised mining services. Von Linde stated that mining offers a huge opportunity for greater collaboration.
According to the release, she said, “Swedish companies are already contributing to Pakistan’s mining sector and see significant potential for further expansion.”
The ambassador cited the Reko Diq copper and gold project as a prime illustration of continued collaboration, in which Swedish companies are providing goods, connectivity solutions, and services pertaining to explosives.
After years of economic hardship, Pakistan has placed the enormous Reko Diq deposit—one of the largest untapped copper and gold reserves in the world—at the core of its plan to attract foreign investment and increase mineral exports.
Over the mine’s lifetime, the government projects that it might produce about $70 billion in free cash flow and $90 billion in operating cash flow. It is anticipated that production will start in 2028.
The project is jointly owned by the Pakistani government, the Balochistani provincial administration, and the Canadian mining behemoth Barrick Gold.
Malik referred to Reko Diq as the “jewel” of Pakistan’s mining sector and commended the participating firms and stakeholders for sustaining consistent project advancement in spite of operational and logistical difficulties.
He reported that there hasn’t been a single day of delay in the progress of the work.
The minister stated that, in addition to the project, Pakistan plans to highlight more extensive mining and exploration prospects at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, when foreign businesses would be invited to consider investments in related fields.
Malik stated, “We want partners like Sweden to participate in Pakistan’s wider mining ecosystem and expand their footprint beyond Reko Diq.”
The previous iteration of the mining forum drew significant international participation, the Swedish envoy remembered.
Five Swedish firms participated independently, while Sweden maintained an official presence at the event.
She said she hoped the next event will draw a larger Swedish delegation, including members of the Business Development Association.
The event is anticipated to be more bigger and more meaningful this year, according to Malik, who also emphasised that there is still a lot of unrealised potential for foreign investors in Pakistan’s exploration business.
Both parties decided to keep working together to increase bilateral investment, foster technology sharing, and advance sustainable growth in the mining and energy industries.