Gold & copper reserves discovered in Chagai, Blochistan

ISLAMABAD: National Resources Limited (NRL) has announced the discovery of gold and copper deposits in Chagai, Balochistan.

This was announced by Muhammad Ali Tabba, Chairman of NRL and CEO of Lucky Cement, during his address at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 in Islamabad in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.

NRL is a 100% privately owned Pakistani company and a subsidiary of Fatima Fertilizers, Liberty Mills Limited, and Lucky Cement. The company was granted an exploration license in October 2023.

According to Mr. Tabba, within the licensed area of ​​500 km, 16 potential mineral locations have been identified in the last 18 months. Advanced drilling has already commenced at the Tangkor location.

To date, NRL has completed 13 diamond drill holes (3,517 metres), all of which indicate the presence of mineral deposits. Analytical results from the first 6 drill holes (1,500 metres) confirm a zone of strong mineralization near surface.

Preliminary results indicate copper grades of 0.23% to 0.48%, gold of 0.09 g/tonne to 0.14 g/tonne, and silver of 1.30 g/tonne to 6.21 g/tonne — equating to combined copper grades of 0.28% to 0.28%.

Advanced drilling at Tang Core is scheduled for May 2025, with an NI 43-101 technical report — overseen by international consultants — expected by the end of the year. This will be followed by 3 to 4 years of detailed exploration and feasibility studies, while exploration at other locations continues.

Additionally, NRL has secured a lead-zinc exploration license adjacent to a known mine, where a feasibility study has been completed. The company is also conducting a comprehensive metal value chain study to assess downstream processing opportunities.

NRL considers local communities to be key stakeholders and actively supports social development through clean water, education, healthcare, and employment or business opportunities. The company reports that over 90% of its workforce is locally employed.

NRL, in collaboration with the Government of Balochistan and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), is working to secure two additional copper and gold exploration licenses in Chagai, supported by a $100 million exploration fund. NRL has also signed an MoU with the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) to operate the new leases, with plans to engage local and international investors as needed in the future.

The company thanked the Government of Balochistan and SIFC and reiterated its commitment to mineral development in the province. NRL believes that continued cooperation will encourage more domestic companies to enter the mining sector, which will contribute to the development and prosperity of both Balochistan and Pakistan.