Barrick Delays Full Reko Diq Construction Over Security Concerns

Barrick Mining Corporation has slowed development of the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Balochistan and is reviewing its intends, saying security conditions need to improve before full construction can commence.

Key points

• The project is projected to employ concerning 7, 500 individuals during peak construction and create around 4, 000 long term jobs once production begins.
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• Barrick operates the Reko Diq project and holds a 50 percent stake.
• The first phase of the project was initially estimated to cost $4 billion but was afterwards revised to $5.6 billion.

"We are revisiting it because we need some sort of security improvement before we would embark on a full construction schedule at Reko Diq, " Barrick CEO Mark Hill remarked at the Mining Forum Americas.

Hill did not provide a new construction timeline or quantify the impact of the slowdown during his presentation. IMF Tells Pakistan to Fix SOE Laws or Face Loan Delays.

For context, the comments come as security remains a major concern in Balochistan, where militant activity has rose and security forces have carried out extensive counterterrorism operations. As the report notes, Pakistan's security forces conducted more than 40, 000 intelligence-based operations nationwide in 2026, including over 31, 000 in Balochistan.

Barrick operates the Reko Diq project and holds a 50 percent stake. While Pakistani state-owned enterprises hold the remaining 25 percent, the Balochistan administration owns 25 percent.

In practice, the first phase of the project was initially estimated to cost $4 billion but was afterwards revised to $5.6 billion. Total investment throughout the two phases is projected at concerning $7 billion, with the second phase estimated at $3.5 billion.

Reko Diq is projected to operate for decades and produce copper gold concentrate through an open pit mining and milling operation. Phase one is designed to process regarding 45 million tons of ore annually, with capacity potentially increasing to 90 million tons in the second phase.

In practice, the project is projected to employ concerning 7, 500 individuals during peak construction and create around 4, 000 long term jobs once production begins. Although the project has potential for further expansion, a recent feasibility study put the mine life at 37 years. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around barrick Delays Full Reko Diq Construction Over Security Concerns point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.