Syed Ali Shah, News Desk:Â
Barrick Gold Company’s Communications Officer, Samia Ali Shah, has announced that production at the Reko Diq copper and gold project is expected to commence by the end of 2028. Addressing a media briefing at a local hotel in Quetta, Samia shared key details about the project’s timeline, employment plans, and community engagement efforts.
According to Samia Ali Shah, the Reko Diq project will generate over 25,000 indirect employment opportunities for the people of Balochistan. She emphasized that these jobs will not only come through direct hiring but also through contracts with suppliers, vendors, and service providers associated with the project.
During the construction phase, expected to span the next three years, around 7,500 to 8,000 temporary jobs will be created. Once the mine becomes operational, between 4,500 permanent positions will be maintained as part of regular operations.
Samia Ali Shah stressed three key points during her briefing:
- Local Stakeholders as Priority: She highlighted that local communities will be made key stakeholders in the project, ensuring their involvement and benefits from its long-term success.
- Job Opportunities for Trained Graduates: Samia mentioned that Balochistan graduates who completed international mining training through Barrick Gold’s development program have returned and will play an essential role in the project’s workforce.
- Sustainable Community Engagement: She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to prioritizing locals in both direct employment and supply chain opportunities, aiming to boost the region’s socio-economic development.
Samia concluded that Barrick Gold’s approach is not just about mining resources, but about building capacity, creating livelihoods, and ensuring Balochistan’s people directly benefit from the project’s progress.
