ISLAMABAD: Mark Bristow, President and Chief Executive of Barrick Gold Corporation, on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious vision for the Reko Diq project and reiterated the company’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth in Balochistan.
In a talk with a private news channel, Bristow emphasized the role of the Reko Diq project as a catalyst for transformative change in the region.
He said that with an estimated investment of ten billion dollars over the next eight to nine years, the Reko Diq project was poised to become a game-changer for the regional economy.
He further said that Barrick Gold owns a 50% stake in Pakistan’s Reko Diq mine, with the remaining 50% owned by the governments of Pakistan and the province of Balochistan.
Bristow said that Barrick Gold’s investment was not merely in extracting minerals, but it was a strategic partnership that aims to uplift the people and communities of the province of Balochistan, leaving a lasting legacy of sustainable growth.
Underlining the company’s commitment to job creation, he announced the creation of two hundred jobs with plans to employ one thousand by the end of the year, ultimately reaching ten thousand during the peak of mining.
Barrick Gold Corporation aims to have 5,500 long-term employees when the mine is fully operational, thus becoming a cornerstone for employment and prosperity in the region.
He emphasized the significance of investing in people and announced initiatives such as partnerships with universities, the establishment of primary and high schools, and skills development with NGOs.
Ensuring Reko Diq Project’s Sustainability
To ensure the sustainability of the project, the company has undertaken non-negotiable commitments to the host country; this includes providing portable water for the whole region, with plans for additional water plants and water supply schemes.
He said that the company is also investing in education, from primary to university levels, and building vocational skills through partnerships with NGOs.
