Pakistan is on the verge of a transformative expansion in its copper export capacity, with the developing Reko Diq Project anticipated to significantly boost trade with China in 2025.
According to information from officials of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) today, the nation’s copper and related exports have already demonstrated substantial growth, rising from USD 106 million in previous years to USD 600 million in shipments to China alone by 2021, a trend expected to continue, stated PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain. He stressed the critical need to integrate modern technology and advanced mining practices to capitalize on this growing potential, as China continues to source approximately 51% of its copper from global markets.
Chinese technological expertise has been instrumental in developing Pakistan”s mining sector. Hussain noted the pivotal role of companies like the Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), which has been involved with the Saindak Copper-Gold Project since 1995. The Saindak project currently processes 12,800 tons of copper ore daily, yielding nearly 13,000 tons of copper blister annually.
Brig. Mansoor Saeed Sheikh (Retd), Senior Vice President of PCJCCI, directly linked the renewed optimism for export growth to the Reko Diq Project, which is now advancing toward full-scale operations. He also pointed out that significant copper reserves in regions such as Chitral remain underutilized due to outdated mining techniques and a lack of modern equipment, highlighting an area for future development.
The economic contributions of existing collaborations are substantial. Zafar Iqbal, Vice President of PCJCCI, detailed that the Saindak project has delivered over USD 468 million in taxes, fees, and profits to government coffers over the last two decades. The venture has also created more than 1,900 jobs and supported the local economy through USD 1.1 billion in procurement for goods and materials. Iqbal emphasized the necessity of enhanced managerial and technical training for Pakistani workers to secure greater long-term benefits.
Looking ahead, PCJCCI Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif described the Reko Diq Project”s expansion as an opportunity comparable to the successful Saindak venture. He expressed hope that the government would expedite international tenders and collaborations to fully maximize Pakistan”s copper export prospects, particularly with its key trading partner, China.