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QUETTA, Jul 18 (APP):Country Manager of Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC), Zarrar Jamali said that the Reko Diq project is among the world’s largest copper and gold mines and, once in production, would mark a new chapter of progress for both Balochistan and Pakistan.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held in honor of the young engineers from the International Graduate Development Program (IGDP), who recently returned after completing an 18-month on-the-job training at Barrick’s Veladero mine in Argentina.
He said that these engineers belong to various districts of Balochistan and were awarded shields upon completing their training.
He noted that under the leadership of Barrick Mining Corporation, RDMC had been providing the nearby local communities with access to clean drinking water, healthcare, and education, the company aimed to commence production by the end of 2028.
RDMC’s Head of HR, Hanno Staden, stated that the IGDP was a significant initiative to equip young engineers from Balochistan with world-class training and integrate them into the mining sector. Under the program, 18 more youth were sent to Zambia and Argentina in 2024, hailing from 11 districts of Balochistan.
He further noted that 75 percent of RDMC’s permanent workforce was from Balochistan, with 65 percent from Chagai district, and that 14 percent of the employees were women.
Communications Manager Samia Shah shared project details, stating that the Reko Diq project is a joint venture between Barrick Mining Corporation and Pakistan. Barrick holds 50 percent of the ownership, while the remaining 50 percent included 25 percent is held by three federal entities and 25 percent by the Government of Balochistan, which include a 10 percent free carried interest.
She added that the Reko Diq Project had a minimum mine life of 37 years, during which 7,500 jobs were expected to be created in the construction phase and 3,500 long-term jobs after production. Additionally, the project is estimated to generate over 25,000 indirect employment opportunities.
According to her, 90 percent of the value addition from the extracted minerals would take place within Balochistan. By June 2025, $17.5 million in royalties had been paid to the Government of Balochistan, while $7.2 million had been spent on social development initiatives.
In the education sector, seven schools were operational with over 403 students enrolled, and 577 youth had been trained in various technical trades.