Islamabad: Pakistan and China have jointly launched the Pak-China E-Mining Platform, a major digital initiative aimed at modernising Pakistan’s mineral sector and improving coordination between government authorities and private investors, officials said on Wednesday.
The platform was unveiled at the Pak-China Mineral Cooperation Forum held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, organised by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan. The event drew more than 800 participants, including senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives from over 70 Chinese and 100 Pakistani companies, underscoring growing bilateral interest in the sector.
According to the Petroleum Division, the E-Mining Platform is designed to digitise the entire mineral value chain, improving information sharing, project connectivity and regulatory transparency. The system will cover key stages including exploration, mining, processing, logistics and financing, marking a shift from fragmented processes to an integrated digital framework.
Officials said the initiative would help Pakistan better manage its vast mineral potential — estimated by authorities at around $8 trillion — while increasing efficiency and investor confidence.
The forum also saw the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to deepen industrial and investment cooperation. Wah Nobel (Pvt) Limited and JW Corporation signed separate agreements with MCCT International to establish frameworks for digital cross-border industrial trade, while the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) entered a tripartite MoU with POWERCHINA International and Pak China Investment Company Limited for technical cooperation and joint development projects.
Addressing the forum, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal described mining as a new pillar of economic engagement between the two countries, saying Pakistan must move beyond raw extraction toward processing, smelting and refining to maximise value.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed Beijing’s interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector, stressing the importance of responsible and sustainable mining that benefits local communities.
Federal Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government was committed to value-added development, citing projects such as the Saindak Copper-Gold Project and Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company as successful examples of joint ventures.
Looking ahead, Malik invited Chinese firms to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, assuring investors of policy stability, streamlined approvals and long-term partnership as Pakistan seeks to position itself as a reliable player in global mineral supply chains.
