Islamabad, July 16.2026: The federal government has stepped up security around the Chinese-operated Saindak copper and gold mine in Balochistan after recent terrorist attacks disrupted supply routes, while the project’s operator has dismissed reports suggesting the mine could be forced to suspend operations.
Saindak Metals Limited Managing Director Raziq Sanjrani described reports of a possible shutdown, first published by the Financial Times, as “factually incorrect,” insisting that the mine has operated continuously for 25 years and there is no possibility of its closure.
In a statement, Sanjrani said the company had requested assistance from Pakistani authorities in transporting furnace oil to the mining site after some transporters became reluctant to use certain routes in Balochistan due to the prevailing security situation.
He added that the relevant security agencies had assured the company of full support to ensure the uninterrupted supply of furnace oil required for the project’s operations.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the government had received security-related concerns from the mine’s operator in early July and had directed all relevant authorities to strengthen protection around the project.
“We have directed the provincial authorities and all concerned security agencies to beef up deployment for all of their installations, personnel, logistics and transportation,” Chaudhry said.
He reaffirmed that safeguarding projects operated by international companies remained a top priority for the government and said additional security would be provided for logistics and cargo shipments to the mining site.
Located in Balochistan near the borders with Iran and Afghanistan, the Saindak project is one of several major Chinese-backed investments in the province, which also hosts the strategic deep-water port of Gwadar.
The Financial Times had earlier reported that the mine’s management warned Pakistan’s energy ministry that operations could become unsustainable within a month if deteriorating security conditions continued to disrupt supply routes.
The Saindak copper and gold mine is operated by the state-owned Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) under a lease that was extended in 2022. Most of the mine’s production is exported to China.
Responding to the reports, China’s Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of the specific situation but reaffirmed that Beijing would continue working closely with Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions operating in the country.
