Duddar mining project attains peak output

Chinese, Pakistani workers celebrate important milestone

DUDDAR: The Duddar lead-zinc project in Balochistan has achieved its peak annual production capacity of 500,000 tonnes. Duddar mine is located in Lasbela district of the province. It is the only underground metal mining project in the country.

The China Metallurgical Group invested in the project and developed it. The China Huaye Group is responsible for its construction and production.

The project commenced in 2005, but was shut down due to difficult mining conditions.

In 2014, the MCC Huaye, Duddar (MHD) Mining Company took over the right to operate the project through international tendering. The company has announced that it achieved its peak production capacity in December -- one year ahead of schedule.

The MHD organised a ceremony on Saturday to celebrate the event.

Speaking on the occasion, MCC Resources Development Limited (MRDL) Chairman He Xuping said all Chinese and Pakistani employees in Duddar were filled with happiness and proud of the achievement.

“When China Huaye Group was entrusted by the MCC Group to take over the Duddar project, we were facing harsh geological conditions of the mine and a dire market situation,” he added.

“Over the years, the MCC Hauye Duddar project has overcome the difficulties all the way through the vicissitudes of the wind and rain to achieve its goal.”

MRDL Senior Vice President Nawaz Khan spoke about the background of the project

“The systematic investigation of Duddar deposits started in 1980 and $236 million were invested in it to bring it to the present stage.

“Of this $7 million was spent by the UNDP/PMDC, $20 million by Pascminco of Australia, $108 million by MCC Duddar Mineral Development Company of China, and $101 million by the MHD,” he said.

“So far, the MHD has paid the Balochistan government Rs1.052 billion in royalty, Rs210.487 million to the federal government as presumptive tax and Rs105.2 million as development surcharge,” he added.

Mines Secretary Zafar Ali Bukhari told the participants of the event that over 52 minerals were present in Balochistan that had the potential to change people’s lives and the fate of the province and country.

He added that there was lack of technical expertise in the province and that was why the government is striving hard to fill this gap

In his concluding remarks, he said, “In Duddar, the Chinese company has exceeded our expectations. It is the responsibly of the company to provide education, health facilities and jobs to the locals.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2019.