The federal government announced on Wednesday that it is intensifying security measures around the Chinese-operated copper and gold mine in Balochistan following recent terror attacks that have interrupted supply routes. Saindak Metals Limited’s managing director, Raziq Sanjrani, refuted claims that the project might be forced to close, calling the reports inaccurate.
Highlighting the mine’s uninterrupted 25-year operation, Sanjrani emphasized that shutting down the facility is not a possibility. He noted that the company had requested assistance from Pakistani authorities to transport furnace oil to the site after some transporters hesitated to use certain routes in Balochistan due to security concerns. Security agencies have since assured the company of the necessary support to maintain a steady supply of furnace oil.
In a significant development, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry revealed that Islamabad received the mine operator’s security concerns in early July. Consequently, the government ordered increased deployment of security forces around the mine’s installations, personnel, and cargo. Chaudhry stressed that protecting projects operated by international companies in Pakistan is a top priority, and additional security will be provided for logistics and shipments to the site.
Balochistan, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, is home to several major Chinese-backed initiatives, including the strategic deep-water port of Gwadar. Earlier on Wednesday, a report indicated that Saindak’s managing director had warned Pakistan’s energy ministry that deteriorating security conditions could render operations unsustainable within a month due to disrupted supply routes.
The Saindak mine is managed by the state-owned Metallurgical Corporation of China under a lease renewed in 2022, with most of its output exported to China. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry stated it was not aware of the situation but affirmed its commitment to working closely with Pakistan to safeguard Chinese citizens, projects, and institutions within the country.
