ISLAMABAD, March 20: Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin on Sunday said Governments of Pakistan and Balochistan, Antofagasta plc, and Barrick Gold Corporation have reached agreement in principle on a framework to reconstitute the Reko Diq project, and a pathway for Antofagasta to exit the project.
Addressing a hurriedly called press conference along with the Energy Minister Hammad Azhar and Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo here, the minister said after the new development, Pakistan would not only avoid the $11 billion penalty but also get an opportunity of exploring the world’s largest gold and copper reserve.
He said some $10 billion would be invested under this project which would create 8000 new jobs for locals. – TLPT