The United States has earmarked $1.3 billion for Reko Diq copper and gold mining project aimed at providing support for the extraction of mineral reserves in Balochistan.    Pakistan is currently working on the Reko Diq project in partnership with a Canadian firm. It requires capital injection of $3.2 billion, of which Washington has announced $1.3 billion.      Construction work has already commenced at the mining site and commercial production is expected to begin in 2028.     Despite its huge potential, Pakistan's mineral sector currently contributes around 3.2% to the gross domestic product (GDP), with exports accounting for just 0.1% of the world's total. However, with increasing exploration, foreign investment and infrastructure improvements, the industry is set to achieve significant expansion.    Pakistan's mineral-rich landscape covers an outcrop area of 600,000 square kilometres. With 92 known minerals, 52 of which are commercially exploited, Pakistan produces an estimated 68.52 million metric tons of minerals annually. The sector supports over 5,000 operational mines and 50,000 small and medium-scale enterprises, providing direct employment to 300,000 workers.    According to the fact sheet related to the Critical Minerals Portfolio 2026, the US Exim Bank's critical minerals portfolio of authorised transactions includes a $10 billion Project Vault for establishing strategic critical mineral reserves to support domestic manufacturers and strengthen supply-chain security.    It also includes $1.3 billion for copper and gold production at Reko Diq,   (ICE ISLAMABAD)

Fonte notizia: express tribune