US-Based Firm Eyes Investment in Pakistan’s Mining Sector

Nova Minerals, a dual Nasdaq and ASX-listed mining exploration and development company, has expressed a strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s mineral and mining sectors. The company’s delegation, led by CEO Christopher Gerteisen, met with Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Thursday to discuss potential opportunities, particularly in antimony and rare earth minerals. Nova Minerals is considering technical collaborations, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and feasibility studies to assess specific investment projects in partnership with local entities. CEO Gerteisen highlighted Pakistan’s geological diversity and recent policy reforms, noting that these factors make the country an attractive destination for long-term investment. Minister Qaiser Sheikh welcomed Nova Minerals’ interest, emphasizing the government’s support for responsible, technology-driven ventures that prioritize sustainability and local value addition. He stated that such initiatives would help foster an ecosystem conducive to further foreign investment in Pakistan’s mining sector. The minister also noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a strong proponent of foreign investment and joint ventures, recognizing their role in driving economic growth and modernization. He praised the ongoing efforts of the business community and international partners in building confidence in Pakistan’s investment climate. During the meeting, Qaiser Sheikh underscored Pakistan’s vast, largely untapped potential in the minerals and mining sector, especially in the exploration and processing of high-value minerals. He added that increased foreign investment in mining would not only unlock the country’s natural resources but also strengthen bilateral economic ties, promote technology transfer, and create opportunities for skill development and higher education exchanges for Pakistani professionals and students.