Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousaf called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Thursday and discussed matters relating to the economic development of the province with special reference to Duddar Lead Zinc Project being undertaken in District Lasbela.
The Prime Minister said the Zinc mine has been leased to Metallurgical Construction corporation (MCC) of China. He said that from Karachi to Duddar a new road will be constructed to facilitate the development of Zinc mine at Duddar. The mine has huge deposits of Zinc and Lead.
The federal government and the Balochistan government would equally share the cost on the construction of Karachi Duddar road.
The MCC plans to invest over 70 million US dollars in developing the mine and processing. The project is expected to be constructed within two and a half years.
The Prime Minister directed the Chief Minister to provide all necessary infrastructural facilities to the metallurgical company since the concentrated Zinc and Lead shall be exported after procurement and necessary processing. Welcoming the Chinese investment, he directed to provide assistance to the Chinese firm saying that Pakistan is rich in mineral resources whereas its great friend China has the expertise and technology necessary for exploiting the mineral potential.
He said that such projects will benefit both the countries as they would create large scale employment opportunities.