Pakistan, which has been grappling with severe economic challenges, has received potentially encouraging news from its mining sector. National Resources Limited (NRL) has announced promising copper and gold mineralisation at eight different locations in the Chagai district of Balochistan following nearly 25,000 metres of exploration drilling.

The discovery could open new opportunities for mineral exploration and investment in the region. However, the actual size and commercial viability of the deposits are yet to be established through detailed assessments.

Promising Copper and Gold Mineralisation Reported

According to Dawn, NRL Chairman Muhammad Ali Tabba shared details of the exploration during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026.

He revealed that one drill hole encountered a 295-metre mineralised interval containing 0.43 per cent copper and 0.13 grams of gold per tonne. Within this interval, a 132-metre section recorded a higher copper concentration of 0.83 per cent.

The discoveries are spread across an area of approximately 5.6 square kilometres in Darigwan, near the company's previously identified Tang Kaur copper-gold site.

NRL is now moving towards the first formal assessment of mineral resources in the area, with further exploration planned to determine the scale and potential of the deposits.

Pakistan Plans Further Exploration and Investment

Tabba said exploration would continue under the company's Exploration Licence EL214 to establish the actual extent of the mineralisation.

The company plans to begin environmental, hydrogeological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies in 2027. Its target is to complete a bankable feasibility study by the end of this decade, potentially paving the way for commercial mining operations.

The NRL chairman also reiterated the company's commitment to investing 100 million dollars in mineral exploration in Pakistan and invited domestic and international investors to explore emerging opportunities in the country's mining sector.

Who Is National Resources Limited?

National Resources Limited is a joint venture involving three major Pakistani companies — Fatima Fertilizer, Liberty Mills and Lucky Cement.

The company currently holds five exploration licences in Balochistan, covering two copper-gold projects, one lead-zinc project and two antimony projects.

To improve exploration efficiency, NRL has partnered with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to develop an artificial intelligence model using drilling data. The initiative aims to make mineral exploration more precise and efficient.

Focus on Local Participation and Balochistan's Development

Tabba emphasised that the company's vision extends beyond mineral extraction to developing a globally competitive mining platform.

He said much of the technical workforce involved in the project is local, with Baloch geologists working alongside international consultants and gaining specialised expertise.

The company has also launched community development and educational initiatives through the newly established Chagai Foundation.

Tabba stressed that local communities must receive a meaningful share of the opportunities generated by Balochistan's mineral wealth, calling on industry leaders to contribute to the vision of an empowered Balochistan.

The latest exploration results could strengthen interest in Pakistan's mineral sector, although further technical assessments will be necessary before the reported mineralisation can be established as economically recoverable reserves.