Finland-based industrial giant Metso will supply advanced mining technology and train local workers for Pakistan’s Reko Diq copper and gold mine project, one of the world’s largest untapped deposits.
The plan came after meetings between Piia Karhu, President of Minerals at Metso, and senior Pakistani officials, including Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik.
Metso will provide modern mining equipment, services, and training programs to support Pakistan’s goals of sustainable development and skill building. In addition, Karhu announced that the company will open a corporate office in Pakistan to expand operations beyond Reko Diq.
Minister Malik praised Metso’s commitment. He said Pakistan is moving from primitive mining to mechanised and responsible practices under a modernised regulatory framework. He also called Reko Diq the “torchbearer” of Pakistan’s mineral sector and assured full government support for foreign investors.
Kayani highlighted the importance of the ML-1 and ML-3 railway lines for transporting resources. According to him, feasibility studies are complete, and groundbreaking will begin in 2026. The Reko Diq mine will start production by December 2028, delivering 200,000 tons of copper annually in its first phase.
The mine is a joint venture between Canada’s Barrick Gold (50%) and the federal and Balochistan governments (50%). Over 37 years, it is expected to generate $90 billion. With Metso’s participation, Pakistan aims to create jobs, strengthen its mining ecosystem, and improve global competitiveness.
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