Australia eyes comeback in mining sector

After more than a decade, Australia is considering returning to Pakistan’s mining and mineral sector through direct investments, joint ventures, and institutional collaboration for the research and development of natural resources. Australia has been operating in Pakistan’s mineral and natural resources sector, primarily in all resource-rich regions, including Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, with a focus on research and exploration. This effort has identified critical reserves of copper, gold, coal, zinc, and other precious resources, including oil and gas. Australian BHP Billiton’s joint venture with the Geological Survey of Pakistan led to the discovery of the multi-billion-dollar Reko Diq copper-gold deposits, now being developed for commercial production by Barrick Gold Corporation of Canada.