Pakistan Petroleum Minister Meets Barrick Chairman Over Reko Diq Coordination
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held a formal meeting with John L. Thornton, Chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation, to review progress on the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project in Balochistan. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to ensure the project advances on schedule and in line with agreed frameworks.
The Reko Diq project, one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world, is considered a transformative investment for Pakistan's mining sector and is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue over its operational lifespan. The meeting signals continued high-level engagement between the Pakistani government and Barrick as the project moves through its development phases.
Minister Malik emphasised the government's commitment to providing a stable and facilitative environment for foreign mining investment, while Thornton reaffirmed Barrick's interest in deepening its footprint in Pakistan. The discussions are understood to have covered regulatory, technical, and operational dimensions of the project.
The Reko Diq project carries strategic significance beyond its economic value, representing a test case for Pakistan's ability to attract and retain major international resource sector investment amid broader efforts to stabilise the country's external account and boost export revenues.
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