Barrick Gold CEO sees bright future for Pakistan with Reko Diq Project

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barrick Gold Mark Bristow said Reko Diq copper-gold project will be the beacon that leads Pakistan into the race of the top global mining jurisdictions.

This he said while addressing a two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad today.

Barrick Gold CEO said Reko Diq copper-gold project will economically benefit Pakistan and will also create thousands of jobs.

Mark Bristow said the feasibility study of Reko Diq has been completed and this mine is set to become one of the lowest cost copper producers in the world.

He said the first production from Reko Diq is planned for 2028 and targets two hundred and forty thousand tons of copper and three hundred thousand ounces of gold per annum.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is strategically positioned to emerge as a global mining powerhouse, underpinned by its unparalleled geological wealth.

Read more: Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum kicks off in Islamabad

He highlighted that Pakistan is home to monumental reserves like Reko Diq. He said Pakistan also hosts vast resources of rare earth elements, industrial minerals, non-metallics and gem stones including globally sought after peridote and emerald.

The Deputy Prime Minister said with this vast untapped mineral potential, Pakistan’s resource corridor is poised to reshape global supply chains and attract foreign direct investment.

Ishaq Dar said the government has prioritized the strategic development of the mining sector through progressive policy reforms and investor centric initiatives, laying the foundation for a robust eco-system that delivers value for all stakeholders.