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Pakistan

Reko Diq Project

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Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StagePermitting
Commodities
  • Copper
  • Gold
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotReko Diq Project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits.

In an effort to optimize returns, manage upfront capital outflows, lower execution risk, and bring forward production, Reko Diq is contemplated to be constructed in two phases subject to an updated feasibility study:
- Phase 1: initial crush, milling and flotation circuit with nameplate throughput capacity of approximately 40 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa);
- Phase 2: parallel circuit to Phase 1, adding a further ~40Mtpa in throughput capacity with first production currently expected 5+ years following commencement of production from Phase 1;
- Additional opportunity for a Phase 3.

During 2023, the project team continued to advance the feasibility study, with engineering consultants engaged to advance key areas and commence basic engineering. Feasibility study expected to be completed by end 2024.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Barrick Gold Corp. 50 % Indirect
Reko Diq Project is owned 50% by Barrick, 25% by three federal state-owned enterprises, 15% by the Province of Balochistan on a fully funded basis and 10% by the Province of Balochistan on a free carried basis.

Deposit type

  • Porphyry

Summary:

- Reko Diq is located in the Tethyan Belt, a tectono-magmatic and metallogenic belt that extends from Eastern Europe to Southeast Asia.
- The Reko Diq project area is comprised of 14 separate Miocene age porphyry intrusions.
- The current conceptual mine plan is based on 4 porphyry deposits within the Reko Diq project area (H13, H14, H15 and H4).
- District is highly prospective with other porphyry clusters providing long-term upside potential.

The H14 and H15 porphyry systems represent a cluster of 4 different porphyry intrusions emplaced at different times with variable Cu-Au grades and tenor. The highest Cu-Au grades (>0.60%Cu and 0.40g/t Au) are associated with intense potassic alteration in the early and 2nd phase porphyry intrusions (PFB1 and PFB2) truncated by late stage, weakly mineralized PFB3 and late-mineral barren PFB4 porphyry intrusions forming a low grade core in both H14 and H15 deposits.

The early and inter-mineral porphyry intrusions (PFB1, PFB2) and adjacent host rocks represent intense network of EB (early biotite) and A-B style veins of quartz, K-feldspar and magnetite (terminology of Gustafson and Hunt, 1975). The main ore stage Cu-Fe-sulfides consisting of disseminated and vein hosted chalcopyrite + bornite + pyrite ± molybdenite ± digenite are associated with intense K-silicate alteration in and adjacent to the early porphyry phases. The late-stage PFB3 porphyry intrusion generally post date all the early A-B veins and main ore stage sulfide mineralization but is genetically linked to the D-vein phase representing a late ore stage Cu-Fe-sulfides. The H15 complex has locally developed fine grained pyrite + chalcopyrite overgrown by bornite ± covellite in association with intense quartz + sericite ± clay alteration indicating a high sulfidation state within iron poor sandstone and conglomerate units similar to that documented in quartzite host rocks in Bingham, Utah. (Inan and Einaudi, 2002)

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

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Processing

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Production

CommodityProductUnitsAvg. Annual
Copper Metal in concentrate kt 300
Gold Metal in concentrate oz 250,000
Copper-Gold Concentrate kt 600

Operational metrics

Metrics
Annual processing capacity  ....  Subscribe
Stripping / waste ratio  ....  Subscribe
Ore tonnes mined, LOM  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2022 study.

Production Costs

CommodityUnitsAverage
Assumed price Copper USD  ....  Subscribe
Assumed price Gold USD  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2022 study / presentation.

Project Costs

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
Initial CapEx $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Expansion CapEx $M USD  ......  Subscribe

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 13, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 13, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 13, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 13, 2024

Total WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required 2022

Aerial view:

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