QUETTA, March 3: The appellate authority of Balochistan mines and minerals department rejected on Saturday a plea of the Tethyan Copper Company Pakistan (TCCP) seeking a mining licence for Reko Diq copper-cum-gold project in Chagai district.

The company had submitted a feasibility report to the department and said that since it had completed the exploration work, it should be granted the mining licence. The request was turned down by the director general of mines and mineral department onthe ground that it contained a number of flaws for seeking the licence.

The TCCP filed the appeal against the director general’s decision in the appellate authority, which remained pending for a long time.

The Supreme Court had ordered the appellate authority to dispose of the company’s appeal by March 3.

The hearing on the appeal continued for two days. Advocate Khalid Anwar appeared on behalf of the TCCP and Advocate General of Balochistan Amanullah Kandrani represented the mines and minerals department and the provincial government.

Dismissing the appeal, the appellate authority said the exploration licence had been issued to the TCC Australia, butthe mining license had been sought by the TCCP, which was contrary to the rules and regulations.