Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Barrick Gold Corporation Chairman John L. Thornton on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Reko Diq project during a meeting in Islamabad focused on reviewing progress and discussing the project’s future direction.
The meeting centered on ongoing development activities, coordination among stakeholders, and efforts to ensure steady progress on key implementation milestones for the mining venture, which is regarded as one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits.
During the discussion, Malik described Reko Diq as a strategically important project for Pakistan’s economy and mineral sector. He said the project is expected to attract significant foreign investment, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to long-term socio-economic development, particularly in Balochistan.
The minister said the government remains committed to supporting large-scale mining projects that can strengthen Pakistan’s natural resource base and improve the country’s export potential.
Thornton, in turn, reaffirmed Barrick Gold’s commitment to the project and appreciated the continued support being provided by the Government of Pakistan. He said close coordination among all stakeholders would remain essential for the timely and successful execution of a mining project of such scale and complexity.
Barrick Gold, as the operator of Reko Diq, continues to play a central role in the project’s development through its technical expertise and financial participation.
Under the project’s ownership structure, Barrick Gold holds a 50 percent stake, while 25 percent is owned by Pakistani federal state-owned enterprises and the remaining 25 percent by the Government of Balochistan. Officials said the arrangement is intended to balance foreign investment with domestic participation and provincial ownership.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination and continue working together to keep the project on track.
Although no new agreements or financial announcements were made, the engagement highlighted the government’s and Barrick’s continued focus on moving Reko Diq forward as a key long-term development initiative in Pakistan’s mining sector.
