Barrick Mining Corporation has expressed strong interest in investing in mineral processing industries in Karachi and Gwadar, signalling potential opportunities for expanding Pakistan’s mining sector and developing domestic mineral processing facilities.
The interest was conveyed by a delegation led by Barrick Mining Chairman John Thornton during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the PMO said the visiting delegation welcomed the government’s decision to organise a minerals conference, describing it as an important initiative for promoting mineral development and investment in Pakistan.
“The delegation expressed strong interest in investing in the establishment of mineral processing industries in Karachi and Gwadar,” the statement said.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s extensive natural resources and mineral reserves, emphasising the government’s commitment to harnessing these assets for economic development.
He said the development of mineral resources, particularly in Balochistan, was among the government’s leading priorities, with a focus on improving economic opportunities and living standards for local communities.
“Major projects such as Reko Diq will create new opportunities for employment, skills development and economic growth for the people of Balochistan,” the prime minister said.
Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to developing its mineral wealth and attracting international investment in exploration, extraction and related industries.
He said the government was determined to create new opportunities for global investors while ensuring that mineral development contributed to broader economic growth.
The prime minister also described the Reko Diq mining project as an important milestone for foreign investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
He emphasised that the project held considerable significance for the country’s economic future, particularly in terms of developing its mineral resources and creating employment opportunities.
The proposed investment in mineral processing facilities in Karachi and Gwadar could provide opportunities to develop industries associated with mineral production and processing, although the PMO statement did not announce any final investment agreement or financial commitments.
The meeting highlighted continuing engagement between the Pakistani government and Barrick Mining over the development of the country’s mineral sector, with the Reko Diq project remaining a central component of those efforts.