Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to jointly explore and develop antimony, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum and other minerals across nearly 499 square kilometers in Balochistan, in a partnership aimed at attracting foreign investment and strengthening Pakistan's role in the global critical minerals supply chain.
The Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) and Türkiye's MTA International Company (MTAIC) signed a term sheet Friday for a joint venture covering Exploration License EL-318 in Pishin district. Under the agreement, the two companies, along with a designated entity of the Balochistan government, will establish a joint venture company in Pakistan.
MTAIC will serve as the operator and bring modern exploration technology and international expertise to the project. Exploration will be conducted according to JORC international standards, widely used for reporting mineral resources and reserves.
The parties aim to finalize definitive agreements by December. The project is centered primarily on antimony, a critical mineral used in defense applications, flame retardants, batteries, alloys and electronics.
Pakistan hopes the partnership will generate foreign direct investment, transfer technology, create jobs and support economic development in mineral-rich Balochistan. The agreement marks a new step in economic cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council framework.
The signing ceremony was held at Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) headquarters in Islamabad, with Türkiye's ambassador to Pakistan, ڈاکٹر عرفان نزیر اوغلو (Dr. Irfan Neziroğlu), attending as chief guest. PMDC Managing Director and CEO انجینئر اسد احمد (Engr.
Asad Ahmad) and MTAIC General Manager ڈاکٹر نیل یلدرم (Dr. Nail Yıldırım) signed the term sheet in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. "This strategic partnership with MTAIC marks a new chapter for PMDC and for Pakistan's mineral sector," said انجینئر اسد احمد (Engr.
Asad Ahmad), Managing Director and CEO of PMDC. "By combining PMDC's five decades of experience and geological knowledge with Türkiye's world-class exploration expertise, we will unlock the potential of critical minerals such as antimony, attract foreign investment, bring modern technology to our people and create jobs in Balochistan."
This joint venture expands PMDC's portfolio into critical and precious metals and sets a model for future international partnerships in Pakistan's mineral sector, officials added during the briefing.