Balochistan Rising through Empowering Local Communities and Reko Diq

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Reko Diq is a project that is quickly becoming known in the rugged mountains of Chagai. It was a distant region of desert, home to one of the biggest undeveloped copper gold reserves worldwide.

It is a project that can transform the Balochistan economy.

The Reko Diq Mining Project was worth at its inception a staggering 7.7 billion dollars. Yet it is not only a mining project, but it is one of the examples of how real development can be brought by strategic investment, government commitment, as well as community involvement.

A New Era for Balochistan

Balochistan has been bound through the decades to its untapped potential instead of prosperity. Reko Diq is a landmark project. It is a project in which Barrick Gold (50%), Pakistan federal and provincial enterprises (25%), and the Balochistan government (25%) have an ownership share. The aim was to make sure that the province has the direct benefits of its own resources. The project was reconstructed in December 2022, which removed the legal obstacles and laid the foundations of a lifelong and world class mine.

In addition, Reko Diq is likely to realize 75 billion cash flows throughout its existence. As a result, this leads to owing the estimated 15 million tons of copper and 26 million ounces of gold. Therefore, this kind of scale would reestablish the financial power of Balochistan, offering financial independence and the ability to invest in their people in the long run.

Enhancing the Local Workforce

The key distinction between Reko Diq and other projects is that the former is extremely diverse, regarding the attendance of locals. Most of its workers are residents of Balochistan. Approximately 76 percent of its workers are not in the city and provincial capitals, but the surrounding areas around the project. Its workforce is made up of 50 percent Nokandi workers, 24 percent Chagai, and 22 percent Dalbandin workers respectively. It also includes other minor towns such as Taftan and Yakmach. However, it is not merely a symbolic local contribution, as it represents a real transformation in livelihoods.

Moreover, employing and training locals will create a skilled workforce capable of sustaining itself even after the mining ends. This approach opens new possibilities, i.e. technical training, financial stability, and a stronger sense of belonging as well.

Women at the Forefront

The presence of women is likely to be one of the most favorable changes. About 14 percent of the workers at Reko Diq Project are Baloch women. It represents an element that eloquently talks of a male dominated industry with a longstanding record. They are located not only in engineering and geology but also in administration and community outreach. Thus, their impact is changing the nature of the workplace and expectations of both cultures. The fact that empowerment is not merely an economic issue but also one of social transformation is a token gesture, which is nevertheless important.

Driving Prosperity

Reko Diq Project is also a source of employment, infrastructural development, and local businesses. The developmental footprint of this project is the improvement of housing, education facilities, roads, and healthcare. This is effective, as small businesses are emerging to offer services to the new workforce, and the local supply chain is being improved as well. The deal between Barrick Gold, the state governments in Pakistan and Balochistan can serve as an example of how a foreign investor may fulfill the national and provincial interests. This approach stands in contrast to the usual resource extraction model, where benefits are often taken away from local communities. Instead, it ensures that gains are shared locally, reflecting the true value creation.

Reko Diq has not yet reached full production, but progress on the ground is promising. The project is expected to generate billions in revenue once operational. Moreover, it will create around 3,500 long-term jobs, fueling a cycle of reinvestment and economic growth. When this is carried out in a wise manner, then it can become a responsible mining and inclusive development hub in Balochistan.

Reko Diq is about more than copper and gold, it represents dignity, ownership, and the belief that progress should preserve identity.

Furthermore, it stands as proof that cooperation between authorities, investors, and local communities can transform even the country’s remotest regions. This change is not driven by charity but by empowerment. Today, Balochistan is advancing on multiple fronts, thus, Reko Diq is proudly leading the way.