Barrick Gold’s team calls on PM, discusses Reko Diq project

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed that security should be ensured for those working on the Reko Diq mining project and for logistics and transport from Reko Diq to the Gwadar seaport.

He was chairing an important meeting on the Reko Diq mining project. A delegation of Barrick Gold Company, led by its Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow, took part in the meeting through video link.

The PM said consultations should be held with all stakeholders on the project at the official level and all obstacles should be removed. He said planning should be initiated for an improvement in the communication infrastructure, especially railway lines for utilising the minerals of Balochistan. Work for the upgradation of road network to link Reko Diq project with Gwadar Port by road should be completed at the earliest. Wherever new roads were being constructed, the pace of construction should be increased, he remarked.

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

The new railway line would be beneficial for the mineral-rich district of Chaghai and the mining industry would expand. He sought a detailed briefing next week on the Reko Diq road and rail connectivity project. He also instructed that all hurdles should be removed at the official level for early completion of environment and social impact assessment regarding the Reko Diq project. The meeting was told that the feasibility of Reko Diq project would be completed by December 2024. Every month, 6,000 containers would be transported from the Reko Diq project to the port.

The concentrate pipeline of the project would be the second-longest slurry pipeline in the world. 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 percent complete.

Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Petroleum Musadiq Malik, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jehanzeb and high-level officials attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Barrick Gold Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Mark Bristow on Sunday said that the Reko Diq project was revolutionary and would change the fate of Balochistan by revolutionizing the local economy.

In an interview with a private news channel, he stated that an estimated $10 billion would be invested during the next eight to nine years, which would boost the mining industry and local economy. He underscored the company’s commitment to sustainable development, job creation and community empowerment.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that universal access to quality essential health services was the constitutional responsibility of the government that recognized the importance of addressing Tuberculosis (TB) as a public health priority.

The government has implemented various programmes and policies to combat the disease, the prime minister said in a message on the World TB Day. The prime minister said tuberculosis remained a significant global health challenge, causing immense suffering and claiming far too many lives every year. “It is crucial that we prioritize TB elimination in our global health agenda and allocate resources accordingly. Together, we can harness innovation, research and technology to accelerate progress towards a TB-free world,” he added.

The prime minister said that while they strived to provide equitable health services to their citizens, they deeply appreciated the role of private sector and our global partners. “I call upon all partners, organisations, healthcare professionals and individuals to unite in our efforts to end TB. We must work collaboratively to strengthen healthcare systems, increase access to quality diagnosis and treatment and raise awareness about the importance of TB prevention and control measures,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday wished for full and speedy recovery of British King Charles III and Princess Catherine. “The Royal Family is widely respected & revered in Pakistan. We stand with them in these difficult times,” the prime minister posted on X.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that he was delighted to meet and exchange views with his dear brother Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia, who was the guest of honour at the Pakistan Day Parade.

“Congratulated him on receiving the country’s highest civil award ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’ for his invaluable contribution to further strengthening Pak-SA fraternal ties,” the prime minister posted on his X account.

He further said that he had conveyed warm wishes and greetings for Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stand together proudly at all times and on all occasions,” he added.