Barrick and Komatsu have signed a $440 million contract to supply high-capacity mining equipment to the Reko Diq greenfield project, one of the world’s largest copper deposits. copper deposits y gold deposits one of the world’s most significant undeveloped copper and gold deposits. This agreement represents Komatsu’s operational expansion into the Middle East through the creation of Komatsu Pakistan Mining Limited, an entity to provide direct, local technical support.
Technological implementation at Reko Diq
Equipment deliveries will begin in 2026 and include Komatsu 980E-5 ultra-class haul trucks manufactured in Illinois, P&H 4100XPC AC electric rope shovels from Wisconsin, PC7000-11 excavators from Germany and WE2350-2 electric wheel loaders produced in Texas.
These units are designed to operate in highly demanding environments, incorporating advanced data solutions to improve productivity and real-time traceability.
Economic and geopolitical relevance of the project
Komatsu will complement the deployment of equipment with additional investments in its regional headquarters in Dubai, thus strengthening its support network in the MENA region. This expansion will provide specialized maintenance, training and logistics management services tailored to the scale and complexity of the project in the Chagai district of Balochistan.
Reko Diq is located in a remote area of southwest Pakistan near the borders with Iran and Afghanistan. The project is comprised of three main partners: Barrick, with a 50% interest; the federal state entities, with 25%; and the Government of Balochistan, with the other 25%, including a 10% non-contributory share. In addition, the initiative is expected to boost regional development through tax revenues, local employment generation and specialized technical training.
Evolution of a global partnership
This contract is the result of the global framework agreement signed by both companies in 2023, consolidating a cooperation that has yielded results in previous operations such as Lumwana (Zambia) and Nevada Gold Mines (USA). The alliance is based on a shared vision of operational efficiency, technology integration and field support, with a long-term focus on regions of strategic interest for the development of essential metals.
The consolidation of the Reko Diq project project symbolizes a turning point both for the extractive sector in Pakistan and for the dynamics of industrial collaboration in emerging markets, since, beyond the direct economic impact through taxes, royalties and employment generation, the project embodies a model of public-private cooperation aimed at developing local technical capabilities.
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Source: Komatsu
Photo: Shutterstock
