In a powerful reaffirmation of corporate commitment to community-driven development, Barrick Gold Corporation CEO Mark Bristow declared the Reko Diq copper-gold project a “multi-generational opportunity” for the people of Balochistan. His remarks came during a recent visit to Humai, a remote village in Chagai district that lies closest to the Reko Diq site, now considered one of the world’s largest undeveloped mining deposits.
“This is more than just a mining project,” Bristow told local leaders and community members. “It is about creating sustained economic and social development that will benefit this region for decades—perhaps even centuries—to come.”
Local Workforce, Global Opportunities
Currently, 75% of the Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) workforce is from Balochistan, with a large majority hailing from Chagai district itself. In a pioneering move, Barrick has sent local engineers and geologists from Balochistan to its Argentina operations for advanced training—an effort to not just hire locally but to build global-caliber human capital from within the province.
“We’re not here to import talent. We’re here to cultivate it,” Bristow emphasized, adding that as the project moves toward peak construction, 7,500 jobs will be created, with 4,000 permanent roles expected during the project’s estimated 40-year life span.
Healthcare Where It Never Reached Before
In a region historically cut off from basic services, RDMC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program has become a lifeline. The company has established a Health Clinic and a Mother & Child Health Center in Humai—marking the first time women in the region have access to comprehensive maternal healthcare, including prenatal and postnatal services.
“We’ve seen firsthand the impact that access to primary care can have on communities,” Bristow said. “Health and education are not afterthoughts in our model—they are central to it.”
Education & Skill Development
Recognizing that local development requires more than just jobs, RDMC has also launched vocational and technical training programs across Chagai. These initiatives are designed to equip young Baloch men and women with the skills needed not only for employment in mining but in logistics, construction, and support services.
Bristow reiterated that Barrick’s supplier and contractor network will also be encouraged to hire locally, multiplying the project’s economic footprint.
Economic Game-Changer for Balochistan
Reko Diq is projected to generate over $1 billion annually in economic value through royalties, taxes, and profit-sharing mechanisms. Under the agreement, Balochistan holds a 25% stake in the project—15% fully funded by Barrick, and 10% free carried, ensuring that the province benefits without bearing financial risk.
Barrick has already begun fulfilling its financial commitments, paying Rs 710 million in advance royalties in 2022, followed by a $3 million advance payment in January 2023.
Community Leadership Backs the Project
In a strong show of support, Humai village chief Liaqat Malik and Chairman of the Par-e-Koh Community Development Committee, Taj Muhammad, praised Barrick’s ongoing engagement with local communities. They credited RDMC’s efforts with bringing progress to an area long deprived of investment.
“The people of Humai stand with this project,” said Taj Muhammad. “For the first time, we feel heard, seen, and valued.”
A New Chapter for Balochistan
Once marginalized in national development agendas, Chagai now finds itself at the center of what could be a transformative era. With its focus on community partnership, capacity building, and sustainable investment, the Reko Diq project is setting a new benchmark for responsible mining in Pakistan.
As Bristow concluded:
“Projects like Reko Diq only succeed when local communities succeed. This is not just a mine—it’s a future, and we are building it together.”
