Minister rejects reports of cabinet okaying sale of Reko Diq stake to Saudi Arabia

• Petroleum minister rejects media reports on Reko Diq stake.
• Govt having positive discussions with kingdom in this regard: Malik.
• "Deal with Saudi Arabia on Reko Diq shares to be reached next year."

Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik has rejected media reports claiming that the federal cabinet has greenlighted the sale of a 15% stake in the Reko Diq project, worth $540 million, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) under the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Act.

"No deal has been reached with Saudi Arabia for the Reko Diq project yet [...] such reports are not true," says the minister while speaking to journalists in Islamabad.

However, he said, the government is definitely having "positive discussions" with the kingdom in this regard. "So far, no talks with Saudi Arabia have been finalised nor has any approval been given from the cabinet," he added.

Furthermore, the minister said, a deal would be reached with Saudi Arabia regarding Reko Diq shares next year.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the federal cabinet had given a go-ahead to the much-awaited sale of a 15% stake of the federal government in the Reko Diq project.

"The KSA will make payment in two installments. In the first phase, the KSA will acquire a 10% stake in the project, for which $330 million will be transferred to Pakistan. The remaining 5% stake will be purchased in the second phase for $210 million,” the report stated.

Apart from purchasing 15% shares, it added, the Saudi Fund for Development has pledged $150 million to support the development of mineral resources in Balochistan.

The Reko Diq project is among the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold mines. The Reko Diq Mine is a planned mining operation, located near the Reko Diq town of Chagai.

Reko Diq has estimated reserves of 5.9 billion tonnes of ore grading 0.41% copper and gold reserves amounting to 41.5 million oz, and a mining life of at least 40 years. 

Barrick Gold owns a 50% stake in the mine, whereas federal and Balochistan governments collectively own the remaining 50% shares, ensuring substantial benefits for the region.