ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Finland’s globally renowned Metso Corporation have signed a memorandum of agreement to promote the exploration and processing of mineral resources in Pakistan, state media reported on Tuesday.
Pakistan is endowed with various mineral resources, including salt, coal, copper, gold, chromite, bauxite, and gemstones. It is also rich in lithium used to make batteries, as well as other minerals. The government estimates natural reserves in the country are worth $6 trillion but despite the rich deposits, the mineral sector contributes only 3.2 percent to GDP and 0.1 percent to global exports.
The country is now aiming to tap this underutilized potential and last week organized a minerals summit attended by top government officials and heads of companies from various countries including the US, UK, Europe, China and the Middle East.
“The two sides signed an MOU for the development of mineral sector,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
“This key partnership is aimed at promoting the exploration and processing of mineral resources in Pakistan.”
As a major supplier of natural gas, PPL contributes around 20 percent of Pakistan’s total natural gas supplies as well as produces crude oil, natural gas liquid and liquefied petroleum gas, according to the company’s website.
Metso is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. The company’s website says it helps to improve customers’ energy and water efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce environmental risks with its product and service expertise.
Pakistan Petroleum, Finland’s Metso sign mineral development agreement
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Pakistan Petroleum, Finland’s Metso sign mineral development agreement

- Pakistan has world’s largest copper-gold mineral zones and is also rich in lithium which is used to make batteries
- Pakistanis trying to tap underutilized natural reserves’ potential and last week hosted international minerals summit