Mining Comparative Guide

• Published date: 03 February 2026
• Law Firm: Yousaf Amanat & Associates
• Author: Yousaf Amanat

1 Legal and regulatory framework

1.1 Which legislative and regulatory provisions govern mining in your jurisdiction?

After the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment mining has now become a provincial jurisdiction. Each province in Pakistan has their own mining law. The mining laws for each province are as follows:

• For the province of Balochistan the mining legislation is the Mines and Minerals Act 2025.
• For the province of Punjab the mining legislation is the Punjab Mines and Minerals Act 2025
• For the province of Sind the mining legislation is the Sind Mines and Minerals Governance Act 2021 and the Sind Mining Concession Rules 2002
• For the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the mining law is the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Act 2025
• For the area under Gilgit Baltistan the mining law is the Gilgit Baltistan Mining Concession Rules 2016 and amended in 2024
• For the area under Kashmir the mining law is the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Mines Act 1977.

With the location of the Tethyan Belt and the mining project of Reko Diq located in Balochistan we have relied on the Mines and Minerals Act 20025 of Balochistan in reply to most of the questions within this guide. It also helps that generally the legislation for issue Mineral Titles is wholly similar with the legislation in the other provinces too.

1.2 When was the mining legislation last reviewed?

With the focus of the Government of Pakistan towards the mining industry, most of the provinces have either enacted new investor friendly laws or amended existing laws. The resource rich provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have both enacted new investor friendly mining laws in 2025.

1.3 What other legislative and regulatory provisions have relevance for mining operations in your jurisdiction?

Following the settlement of the long ongoing dispute between Government of Pakistan and Barrick Gold Corporation, the Government of Pakistan passed the Foreign Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act 2022 which primarily protects the investment of Barrick from any future privatization or government take over and also provides relief to the project in terms of taxes. This protection is not only for the Barrick Gold Reko Diq Project, it is in fact protection for any sizable mining investment in Pakistan. This law is a landmark law in ensuring investor confidence in the mining sector.

1.4 Are there any regional treaties or laws that need to be taken into account?

No specific treaties for mining.

1.5 Which bodies are responsible for enforcing the applicable mining laws and regulations? What powers do they have?

Each province in Pakistan has a separate department for mines and minerals. The departments have complete powers in terms of award and cancellation of mineral titles.

1.6 What is the regulators' general approach in regulating the mining sector?

Following the settlement between the Government of Pakistan and Barrick Gold the approach of the regulators has become extremely investor friendly.

2 Mining industry

2.1 How mature is the mining industry in your jurisdiction?

The mining industry has huge potential in Pakistan. With the production for the Reko Diq project set to commence from 2028, this potential is now being fully realized. With world class projects like Reko Diq, the mining industry is bound to improve rapidly.

2.2 What are the key minerals which are mined in your jurisdiction and where is mining activity typically based?

Provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are known for large scale mining for minerals like Copper, Gold and Rare Earth Metals. Minerals such as gem stones and granite are also mining in the areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Gilgit Baltistan. Coal is another key mineral mined in Balochistan Sind. Salt has been mined since long in Punjab.

2.3 Are any minerals deemed strategic and, if so, what impact does this have?

Rare Earth Minerals and Uranium are deemed strategic. Reserved for Government bodies such as the Atomic Energy of Pakistan.

2.4 Who are the key players in the mining industry in...