A push for improved infrastructure to connect the mining site with Gwadar port

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need for foolproof security measures for the workforce and logistics involved in the Reko Diq mining project. This directive was issued during a meeting held in Lahore, focusing on the safety and infrastructural development associated with this significant gold and copper mining initiative.

The project, a collaboration with the Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold, represented at the meeting by CEO Mark Bristow via video link, is poised to bolster Pakistan’s mining sector significantly. Prime Minister Sharif’s instructions underscored the importance of stakeholder consultations to smooth out any impediments and ensure the project’s swift progression.

In a bid to enhance connectivity, the Prime Minister advocated for the development of communication infrastructure, particularly emphasizing the need for railway lines to maximize Balochistan’s mineral resources. The proposed upgrades aim to link the Reko Diq project directly with Gwadar port, offering a more efficient route than the current connection to Bin Qasim port.

This initiative includes a feasibility study for a new rail and road network stretching from Reko Diq to Gwadar, which is expected to facilitate easier access to the port and catalyze growth in the mining industry, particularly benefiting the mineral-rich district of Chagai.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister called for the expedited completion of an environmental and social impact assessment essential for the project’s advancement. Attendees were informed that the project’s feasibility study is set to conclude by December of this year, with future operations anticipated to transport around 6,000 containers monthly from Reko Diq to the port. Additionally, the project will feature the construction of the world’s second-longest slurry pipeline and a link road connecting Reko Diq to the N-40 National Highway.

Highlighting progress on related infrastructure, it was shared that the Nokandi to Mashkhel road, critical for connecting Reko Diq to Gwadar port, is already 58% complete.

The meeting saw the attendance of key government officials, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, signifying the high-level attention the project is receiving. This initiative marks a significant step towards exploiting Pakistan’s untapped mineral resources and boosting its mining sector.