China rejects reports of Saindak project shutdown

China rejects reports of Saindak project shutdown

Islamabad:China has dismissed reports claiming that it has suspended operations or withdrawn investment from the Saindak Copper-Gold Project in Balochistan, reaffirming its commitment to the long-running mining venture.

According to a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, the Chinese company operating the project continues its activities without interruption. The spokesperson said reports suggesting that China had halted work or decided to pull out of the project are false and do not reflect the actual situation.

The ministry also revealed that a Chinese company recently visited Pakistan to assess investment opportunities for another major project. The delegation completed its feasibility study, highlighting China’s continued interest in expanding economic cooperation and investment in Pakistan.

The Saindak Copper-Gold Project remains under the management of China Resource Development Limited, a subsidiary of the state-owned Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC). The company renewed its lease for the project in 2022 and has continued mining and development work since then.

Officials stressed that operations at the Saindak mine are proceeding as planned and rejected speculation about the project’s closure. They added that the project remains an important symbol of Pakistan-China economic cooperation and continues to contribute to the country’s mining sector and regional development.