Minerals are the invisible engines of modern civilisation — the raw materials behind the technologies that define our daily lives and shape global power structures. From copper and lithium to cobalt and rare earth elements, these critical minerals underpin the world’s transition toward clean energy, digitalisation, and advanced manufacturing.

However, access to these resources is neither easy nor equitable. The global race for critical minerals is intensifying, with supply chains vulnerable to disruption and geopolitical competition. China’s recent export restrictions on rare earths revealed how mineral dominance can be leveraged as a strategic instrument, affecting industries worldwide.

Pakistan, particularly the province of Balochistan, sits atop vast yet largely untapped mineral deposits. Geological studies estimate the country’s total mineral wealth at nearly $6 trillion, encompassing copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, chromite, zircon, and beryllium. The Reko Diq and Saindak projects hold some of the world’s largest copper-gold reserves, with about 5.9 billion tonnes of ore. Once fully operational, Reko Diq alone is expected to yield 400,000 tonnes of copper and 500,000 ounces (roughly 15.5 tonnes) of gold annually — regionally significant, though modest by global standards.

Despite this geological abundance, Pakistan’s contribution to global mineral production remains limited. The challenge lies not in the scarcity of resources but in technological, infrastructural, and governance shortcomings. Leading producers such as Chile, China, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have built integrated value chains that span exploration, refining, and exports. In contrast, Pakistan’s mineral sector remains fragmented and underdeveloped, constrained by inadequate mechanisation, inconsistent regulation, and insufficient investment in processing industries.

Unlocking their value demands investment in modern exploration technologies such as artificial intelligence-based geological mapping, geographic information systems, and remote sensing, coupled with transparent policies, improved transport and energy connectivity, and a skilled technical workforce. By addressing these gaps, Pakistan can transform from a resource-rich but output-poor nation into a competitive player in the global mineral economy.

Pakistan faces a defining choice: to dig deeper into the earth, or to invest deeper in its people

Yet most mineral deposits lie in remote, mountainous regions with poor infrastructure, high operational costs, and limited accessibility. Ore grades are often of low concentration, making extraction technologically demanding and economically challenging. These logistical and technical barriers have long deterred large-scale development, leaving much of the country’s mineral wealth unrealised.

Recent discussions about US interest in Balochistan’s mineral resources have drawn attention, but the motivations appear primarily strategic rather than commercial. Washington’s focus on critical minerals reflects its aim to reduce dependence on China, which dominates over 70 per cent of the world’s rare earth processing.

Balochistan’s location — at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, bordering Iran and Afghanistan — adds further geopolitical weight. Pakistan’s national interests do not favour allowing Balochistan to become a geopolitical arena for competing powers — whether between the United States and China, or among the United States, Iran, and Afghanistan.

Therefore, Pakistan must proceed with caution. While foreign investment and technology transfer can accelerate economic growth, such engagement must safeguard national sovereignty, ensure fair local benefits, and prevent resource exploitation under the pretext of strategic collaboration.

Ultimately, Pakistan’s greatest strength lies not beneath its soil but within its people. The nation’s youth, over 60 percent of the population, represent a vast reservoir of innovation, creativity, and resilience. With rapid growth in the IT sector, digital entrepreneurship, and renewable energy innovation, young Pakistanis are already proving their capacity to compete globally.

If empowered through education, skill development, and inclusive economic reform, this demographic could become the driving force behind sustainable progress — a far more enduring asset than the volatile gains of mineral extraction. Investments in human capital, research, and technology will yield dividends that minerals alone cannot sustain.

The path to harnessing Pakistan’s mineral wealth is long and complex. It requires coordinated efforts to improve security in mineral-rich regions, modernise infrastructure, streamline regulations, and adopt environmentally responsible mining practices. Yet, the pursuit of minerals must complement — not overshadow — the broader national goal of human development.

In an era defined by energy transitions and digital revolutions, Pakistan’s global relevance will depend less on the minerals it exports and more on the knowledge, innovation, and leadership it cultivates. The choice before us is clear: to dig deeper into the earth or to invest deeper in our people. The future belongs to nations that do both wisely — and Pakistan still has the chance to be one of them.

The writer is the Pro Vice Chancellor at Dawood University of Engineering and Technology

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, October 27th, 2025