Pakistan to deploy paramilitary force to guard copper-gold belt
Pakistan has decided to deploy a dedicated brigade of around 2,300 paramilitary troops to protect the Reko Diq copper-gold mine and access routes in Balochistan. The move aims to safeguard Barrick Gold's $7.4 billion investment programme.
According to Pakistan's Interior Ministry briefing to Nikkei Asia, a dedicated brigade of around 2,300 paramilitary troops within the Frontier Corps will be deployed to protect the Reko Diq copper-gold mine and access routes in the Chagai district of Balochistan. The decision is aimed at securing the infrastructure needed for the project to reach its first-phase target of 200,000 tons of copper and 250,000 ounces of gold per year by 2029.
Reko Diq Mining Company chief operating officer Mark Bristow said the 50-50 joint venture between Barrick Gold and the Pakistan government has a total value of $7.4 billion and would generate $1.8 billion in annual export revenue at full production. Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said '11 observation posts and two helipads will be built, with a $145 million annual security budget'. US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu said the United States considers the success of Reko Diq to be important for Pakistan's economy.
Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong announced an additional $850 million financing commitment from China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) for a parallel expressway expansion project. World Bank South Asia vice-president Martin Raiser reminded reporters that the project has received a $1.4 billion IFC loan. Pakistan provincial police chief Imtiaz Hussain said that over the past six months, 14 attempted attacks on mine-access roads have been prevented.
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