News Desk:
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QUETTA: The Barrick Gold Corporation commenced its social investment program with the inauguration of a primary school at Humai village near Reko Diq today. The school will provide free education to the children of the local community and adjoining areas.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Reko Diq Pakistan Country Manager, Ali E. Rind
said that Barrick believes in being a genuine partner to the host communities, effecting real
change and building stronger and more sustainable communities.
Primary school Humai to open doors of quality education
He hoped that the primary school at Humai would open doors to quality education and opportunities for local children. “Our focus on education will continue, and the Humai primary school is planned to be upgraded in phases”, he mentioned.
Additionally, access to education in three nearby villages and in Nokkundi is planned to start this year. These initiatives are in keeping with Barrick’s policy of educating local communities and preparing them for future employment in the mining
industry. We will continue to expand our educational initiatives in the rest of the Chagai
district to afford the local population increased opportunity for education and skills learning”, Rind added.
Community leaders appreciated Barrick Gold
The local community leaders and district administration present at the event expressed their
appreciation to Barrick for being responsive to community needs as the children of Humai
village previously had no access to schools and formal education. A local community leader
said, “We want to thank Barrick for making the school functional by refurbishing it, appointing
a trained teacher, and providing free books and uniforms to our children. We now have hope
for a better future for our children.”
Barrick’s social investment portfolio is guided by the Community Development Committees
(CDC), which have local stakeholders and community leaders as key members. In line with
this policy, the CDC for nearby villages (Humai Mashki Chah, Nok Chah and Durban Chah)
has been formed.
New Reko Diq project to open new vistas of development
Named after a local mountain, “Par-e-Koh”, the CDC will determine the two-year development plan with priority projects focused on food security, local economic development and access to education, healthcare, and potable water, at its next meeting.
The new Reko Diq agreement ensures that benefits from the project start accruing to the
people of Balochistan well before the mine goes into production through advance royalties
and social development funds.
Reko Diq will be a multi-generational mine with a life of at least 40 years. During peak
construction, the project is expected to employ 7,500 people and once in production, it will
create 4,000 long-term jobs. Barrick’s policy of prioritizing local employment and suppliers will have a positive impact on the local economy. The company plans to finish the Reko Diq
feasibility study update by the end of 2024, with 2028 targeted for the first production from the giant copper-gold mine in the country’s Balochistan province.
