By Abdul Ghani

The government has approved a Rs949.96-million project for the exploration, beneficiation, and extraction of rare earth elements, precious metals, and critical minerals in Gilgit-Baltistan, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The two-year (2026-2028) project will be executed by the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, with all activities based at PCSIR Labs, Skardu.

The initiative focuses on resource investigation, geological studies, modernization of extraction and processing techniques, and innovation in energy storage materials linked with rare earth minerals.

The project is expected to go a long way toward opening new avenues for Pakistan’s mineral sector and reducing dependence on imported strategic materials.

According to the document, advanced technologies including ICP-MS analysis systems, beneficiation plants, and grinding mills, will be utilized for the identification and processing of critical minerals.

The project is expected to provide multiple economic and industrial benefits, including indigenization, value addition, enhanced exploration capacity, and import substitution.

Gilgit-Baltistan possesses significant reserves of rare earth elements and precious metals, which are increasingly important for modern technologies, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and defense industries worldwide.

The development comes at a time of rapidly increasing global demand for critical minerals, positioning Pakistan to potentially emerge as a regional player in the strategic minerals market.

Credit: INP-WealthPk