Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited Barrick Gold – the Toronto-based mining company that is working on the Reko Diq project in Balochistan - to invest in other mineral projects of the province as well, APP reported.

He made this offer during a meeting with Barrick Gold Corporation’s delegation at the Prime Minister’s House.

The delegation led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company Mark Bristow informed the premier that the feasibility of the Reko Diq project would be completed by the end of the current year.

The prime minister was informed that preference was being given to local and Balochistan-domiciled persons to work on the Reko Diq project.

PM Shehbaz said that Reko Diq project would prove to be a game changer for the development of Balochistan and the region.

“This project will usher in a new era of development of the province and prosperity of the people.”

He said planning would be made regarding communication infrastructure, especially railway lines, to take full advantage of minerals in Balochistan.

Reko Diq project: Co asked to share logistic requirements

He also proposed that the government and Barrick Gold could collaborate to establish a technical university in the Chagai district of the province.

The government is taking all possible measures to facilitate investors, especially in the fields of road and communication systems, he remarked.

Barrick Gold said that it had set up three schools near Reko Diq under Corporate Social Responsibility while so far, the company had also imparted technical training to 100 people including women.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jehanzeb and relevant senior government officials participated in the meeting.