ISLAMABAD: Mining company National Resources Ltd (NRL) on Friday announced that it had identified copper and gold deposits at eight sites in Balochistan’s Chagai district, following nearly 25,000 metres of drilling that yielded encouraging results.
The company is now moving towards its first estimate of the area’s mineral resources.
One of the drill holes revealed a 295-metre stretch of mineral deposits containing 0.43 per cent copper and 0.13pc of gold per tonne. Within this, a 132-metre section showed a higher copper concentration of 0.83pc, NRL Chairman Muhammad Ali Tabba told the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026.
The discoveries cover an area of 5.6 square kilometres in Darigwan, adjoining the company’s earlier discovery at the Tang Kaur copper-gold site.
NRL reports encouraging drilling in Chagai; Mari’s find lies 50km east of Reko Diq
Mr Tabba said further exploration at the exploration licence EL214 was expected to help determine the size of the mineral deposits, subject to the completion of exploration work and a formal assessment of the resources.
A joint venture between Fatima Fertilisers, Liberty Mills and Lucky Cement Ltd, NRL holds five exploration licences in Balochistan. These comprise two copper-gold projects, one lead-zinc project and two antimony projects, with exploration work under way.
NRL plans to begin environmental, hydrogeological, metallurgical, and geotechnical studies in 2027, aiming to complete a bankable feasibility study by the end of the decade.
Mr Tabba reaffirmed NRL’s previously announced $100 million commitment to mineral exploration in Pakistan and invited domestic and international investors and service providers to explore emerging opportunities.
Although preliminary resource estimates have been prepared by an independent consultant, the company is withholding their release pending compliance with international reporting requirements. NRL is working towards completing its maiden mineral resource estimate in line with international standards.
The company has also partnered with the Lahore University of Management Sciences to develop a predictive artificial intelligence model to accelerate exploration, using geological modelling and data gathered through its drilling programme.
“Our ambition is to build a world-class mineral exploration platform and contribute to an integrated mineral value chain, spanning discovery, mining, processing and further value addition,” Mr Tabba added.
Another discovery near Reko Diq
Meanwhile, Mari Energies Ltd, one of the country’s leading oil and gas producers, on Friday announced a significant copper-gold discovery at the East Siah Diq (ESD-1) target in Chagai district, Balochistan.
The announcement was made by Mari Energies Ltd’s Managing Director and CEO Faheem Haider at the PMIF26. The discovery was made through the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Mari Minerals (Pvt) Ltd.
The discovery is located approximately 50km east of the Reko Diq copper-gold mine development project and 25km northwest of Nokkundi in the Koh-i-Sultan area. Mari Minerals holds multiple exploration licences in District Chagai.
Approximately 25,000 metres of exploration drilling have been completed at ESD-1 in two phases, with drill holes extending to 500 metres. Drilling has identified porphyry copper-style mineralisation beneath approximately 100 metres of overburden, across an area of approximately 1.4 sq km, the statement said.
“The East Siah Diq discovery marks an important milestone in our minerals exploration programme and strengthens our confidence in the geological potential of Chagai. Our focus now is to advance exploration and technical studies to establish the scale and development potential of this discovery,” Mr Haider said while speaking at the PMIF26.
He added that the company was committed to responsible exploration and building long-term value for Pakistan and its stakeholders.
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2026
