A leading US-based minerals exploration and development company has shown strong interest in tapping into Pakistan’s mining and minerals sector, signalling fresh momentum for foreign investment in the country’s natural resource industry.
Nova Minerals a dual-listed firm on Nasdaq and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), known for its work in gold, antimony, and critical minerals is exploring potential collaborations that include technical partnerships, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and feasibility studies with Pakistani counterparts.
A delegation headed by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Gerteisen, met Minister for the Board of Investment (BoI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Thursday. During the meeting, the group expressed particular interest in Pakistan’s reserves of antimony and rare earth minerals, which are gaining global importance due to rising demand in technology, defence, and green-energy sectors.
Gerteisen noted that Pakistan’s geological diversity, coupled with recent policy reforms and improved government facilitation, makes it a promising destination for long-term mineral development projects.
Minister Qaiser Sheikh welcomed the interest, stating that Pakistan encourages responsible and technology-driven mining ventures capable of creating local value and ensuring environmental sustainability. He added that such investments would help develop a broader ecosystem that could attract additional foreign players to the sector.
The minister further said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally committed to promoting foreign investment and joint ventures, viewing them as vital engines of economic growth, industrial modernization, and job creation. He also appreciated the ongoing contributions of the business community and international partners who continue to strengthen global confidence in Pakistan’s economic landscape.
Highlighting the vast, largely untapped potential of the mining sector, Qaiser Sheikh emphasized that Pakistan offers significant opportunities in the exploration and processing of high-value minerals. He added that increased foreign participation would not only unlock resource potential but also deepen bilateral economic cooperation, promote technology transfer, and create avenues for skill development and academic exchange. These initiatives, he said, would allow Pakistani professionals and students to return with advanced expertise and contribute to the country’s technical progress.
