ISLAMABAD: (Gwadar Pro)- The Saindak Copper–Gold Mine has generated approximately USD 3.4 billion in foreign exchange earnings and contributed USD 690 million in taxes, fees, and profit-sharing, according to Wang Jicheng, Chairman of MCC Tongsin Resources Limited, speaking on Wednesday.
Wang emphasized that the Saindak Mine, located in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, is the country’s largest non-ferrous metal mine and the only project with a fully integrated industrial chain, covering mining, mineral processing, and smelting. Due to its significant scale and performance, the mine consistently ranks among Pakistan’s top 50 foreign exchange–earning enterprises.
At the Pakistan–China Mineral Cooperation Forum, organized by the China Chambers of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK), Wang also highlighted the company’s commitment to social responsibility, noting that substantial investments have been made in the local economy. These efforts have focused on job creation in Balochistan, strengthening downstream industrial linkages, advancing technology, and enhancing the livelihoods of communities surrounding the Saindak project.
The forum underscored the potential of Pakistan’s mining sector, which hosts more than 92 identified minerals, including copper, gold, coal, chromite, and rare earth elements. However, despite this wealth of resources, mining currently accounts for just over 3% of Pakistan’s national GDP. Experts attribute this low contribution to limited exploration, insufficient value-added processing, and infrastructure gaps.
According to industry estimates, Pakistan produces approximately 68 million tonnes of minerals annually and employs nearly 300,000 people directly. The sector also supports thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises. Mining-related products—such as metals, minerals, and processed ores—account for over USD 4 billion in exports. Policymakers believe this figure could rise significantly with enhanced value addition and modern processing infrastructure.
Federal officials at the forum emphasized the government’s push to move beyond exporting raw materials, aiming to increase value-added mineral exports through the development of refining, processing, and manufacturing capabilities within the country. A senior official told Gwadar Pro that with the right investments, Pakistan’s mining sector could generate between USD 6 and 8 billion annually in exports over the next decade.
Discussions at the forum also highlighted major projects such as the Reko Diq copper-gold reserve, one of the largest undeveloped deposits in the world. Participants stressed the need for integrated logistics, energy supply, and financing solutions to support large-scale mining operations. Chinese companies expressed interest in not only mineral extraction but also the development of processing plants, technology transfer, and financing, signaling a shift toward deeper industrial collaboration between the two countries.
