ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan’s Deputy Head of Mission in Beijing, Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary, underscored the transformative potential of mining cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during his keynote address at the 4th Asia Mining Innovation and Development Summit. He highlighted Pakistan’s vast mineral wealth, including 186 billion tons of coal reserves, over 5 million tons of copper, 400 tons of gold at the Reko Diq mine, and 500 million tons of iron ore. Chaudhary emphasized that these resources position Pakistan as a pivotal player in regional industrial growth, particularly under CPEC Phase II, which prioritizes value addition and downstream processing.
Strategic Partnerships and Technological Integration
Chaudhary highlighted the alignment of China’s advanced mining technologies with Pakistan’s resource base, noting that CPEC’s upgraded phase aims to foster mutually beneficial partnerships in line with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He cited flagship projects like the Saindak Copper-Gold Mine, operated by China’s MCC Group, and the Duddar Lead-Zinc Mine in Balochistan, which achieved a peak output of 500,000 tons in 2019 under China Huaye Group. These ventures exemplify win-win collaboration through job creation and technology transfer.
Infrastructure Developments and Policy Reforms
To streamline investments, Chaudhary outlined Pakistan’s policy reforms, including the National Minerals Harmonisation Framework 2025, which offers tax incentives and expedited licensing under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). He also referenced recent milestones, including the \$2.3 billion railway project linking mining hubs with Gwadar Port—a CPEC Phase II initiative set to expand the port’s capacity to 2 million tons annually by 2030.
Renewed Commitment to Sino-Pakistan Cooperation
The summit concluded with a renewed call for deeper Sino-Pakistan collaboration, building on President Asif Ali Zardari’s February 2025 visit to China, which reaffirmed mining as a strategic priority. Chaudhary remarked, “Our iron-clad friendship will shine brighter through innovation and shared prosperity.”
This renewed focus on mining cooperation under CPEC Phase II is expected to significantly contribute to Pakistan’s economic development and strengthen its industrial capabilities.
