Chinese official briefed on Saindak project

The President of MRDL company of China Zou Jainhui who is currently visiting Pakistan called on the Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon here on Tuesday and discussed with him the matters pertaining to Pakistan, MRDL co-operation in the mineral sector.
MRDL is a subsidiary of Metallurgical Construction Company of China (MCC) operating in the Saindak copper-gold project in Balochistan, with an initial investment of $26 million since August, 2003.
The President of MRDL briefed the minister about the production of the copper-gold from the Saindak project. He told that the company has produced 18,000 tons blister copper till September, 2004 and $2 million were paid to the Government of Pakistan and Balochistan government as taxes and royalty.
He informed that about 1,200 employees were working at the project out of which only 250 were Chinese nationals. He said that this project would not only help eliminate poverty, backwardness and unemployment from the area but also contribute significantly towards socio-economic progress and prosperity of the country.
Welcoming the MRDL President, the minister said that Pakistan and China enjoy deep rooted and time-tested friendship which was growing and consolidating with the passage of each day.
He said that Pakistan-China co-operation in the petroleum sector has opened up new avenues of interaction and the Saindak project was a milestone in these relations.
The minister appreciated the pace of work on the Saindak project and hoped that Pakistan-China co-operation in the mineral sector would continue to grow and flourish in days ahead for the mutual advantage. He assured the MRDL President all-out co-operation in this regard.
It may be added that MCC and Pakistan have also signed an agreement to develop Duddar Lead Zinc project in Lasbela (Balochistan) with an investment of $70 million. The Company will produce 132,000 tons of lead and zinc metals concentrate for exports annually.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Mir Muhammad Naseer Mengal, Secretary Petroleum Ahmad Waqar and senior officials of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.