Pakistan moves to tighten security around Saindak mine after route disruptions

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the government is increasing security around the Saindak copper and gold mine in Balochistan after terrorists disrupted supply routes in the region, while the project’s operator rejected a report suggesting the mine could face a shutdown.

Chaudhry told Reuters that Islamabad received security-related concerns from the mine’s operator in early July and then directed relevant authorities to strengthen protection for the site. He said federal and provincial authorities, along with security agencies, had been instructed to raise deployment for the project’s installations, staff, logistics and transport.

Attributing the government’s position to Chaudhry, the minister said protecting projects being run by international companies in Pakistan remained a priority. He added that cargo and logistics movement to the mine would be given extra security cover.

In his remarks to Reuters, Chaudhry said:

"We have directed the provincial authorities and all concerned security agencies to beef up deployment for all of their installations, personnel, logistics and transportation,"

He further said:

"It is our priority to safeguard all projects run by international companies in Pakistan,"

Operator rejects shutdown report

Separately, Saindak Metals Limited Managing Director Raziq Sanjrani disputed a report carried by the Financial Times, which said he had warned the energy ministry that worsening security conditions were affecting supply routes and could make operations unsustainable within a month.

The operator denied that the project was on the verge of closure.

Chinese operator and official response

The Saindak mine is being run by the state-owned Metallurgical Corporation of China’s Resources Development Company under a lease that was extended in 2022.

China’s foreign ministry said it was not aware of the situation. At the same time, Beijing would work with Pakistan, which it described as a close partner, to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, projects and institutions in the country.

MRDL said in February that it had reached major milestones at the Saindak project in 2025 through scientific planning and organised execution. The company said the project posted historic records in production and operations while also improving its safety systems.

MRDL president Tan Jin said the company’s operating results had reached new levels and that cooperation between Pakistan and China had grown stronger. He also described 2026 as a year of new targets and responsibilities, saying the company would pursue further growth through innovation, higher standards and better performance, while maintaining its commitment to social responsibility.