Security to be ensured for those working on Reko Diq project: PM Shehbaz

As work on the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq project is in full swing, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed that security should be ensured for those working on the gold and copper manning project in Balochistan.

The premier made the remarks while chairing an important meeting regarding the “game changer” project. A delegation of Barrick Gold company led by its Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow took part in the meeting through video link.

“Consultations should be held with all stakeholders regarding the project at the official level and all the obstacles should be removed,” PM Shehbaz assured.

Planning should be initiated for improvement in the communication infrastructure especially railway lines for utilising the minerals of Balochistan, he said, adding that work for the up-gradation of the road network to link the project with Gwadar port by road should be completed at the earliest.

The PM said a strategy should be formed for the feasibility of a rail and road network from the project to Gwadar port. He said: “Railway line project from Reko Diq to Gwadar will make access to the port short and easy and as compared to Bin Qasim port, the distance will also be less.”

The new railway line would be beneficial for the mineral-rich district of Chaghi and the mining industry would expand, the premier added.

He sought a detailed briefing next week on the Reko Diq road and rail connectivity project.

PM Shehbaz also instructed that all hurdles should be removed at the official level for early completion of the environment and social impact assessment regarding the project.

During the meeting, it was told that the feasibility of the project would be completed by December 2024.

Every month, 6000 containers would be transported from the gold and copper project to the port. The concentrate pipeline of the project would be the second-longest slurry pipeline in the world, the meeting was told. The mining company would construct the link road from Reko Diq to the national highway 40.

It was further told that the 103-kilometer Nokandi to Mashkhel road, which would connect Reko Diq to the Gwadar port, was 58% completed.

The Barrick Gold Corporation has set 2028 as targeted for first production from the giant copper-gold mine in Balochistan.