While the Reko Diq project of Pakistan is preparing to welcome some of the largest mining trucks ever brought to the country, an agreement of $ 440 million with Komatsu signals more than industrial expansion – it marks a moment of transformation.
From the strengthening of technical capacities to the preparation of women in Nok Kundi for training on trucks based on simulator, the mine reshapes the landscape of opportunities in Balutchistan.
In an exclusive interview with Geo NewsTim Cribb, project director at Reko Diq, speaks with clarity of deadlines, commercial dynamics and the development of labor.
He details how partnerships with Komatsu and the Hunar Foundation locate both skills and hope. The following is a conversation on the machines – but also on the momentum of politics, equity and a quiet revolution taking shape in the Western deserts of Pakistan.
Q: Barrick Gold Corporation and Komatsu signed an agreement of $ 440 million. Could you explain what it is?
TIM: That’s right. To clarify, the contract is between Reko Diq and Komatsu, Barrick acting as an operator. Barrick is already working a lot with Komatsu equipment in our operations in Nevada and other global sites.
This 440 million dollars agreement is specific to Reko Diq, with the contribution of our joint venture partners. It includes a fleet of Komatsu 980th trucks, each with a payload of 360 tonnes – some of the largest commercial mining trucks in the world.
It will be the largest mining equipment ever brought to Pakistan. Beyond our immediate needs, it helps to break a long-standing barrier in the country’s mining supply chain that others will also benefit from this new industrial scale.
Q: This is a five -year agreement. When are we going to start to see the equipment arriving in Pakistan?
TIM: A large part of the equipment takes years to build. For example, large electric rope shovels have about two years. We have started the payment cycle and the manufacturing is already underway.
Certain units, such as trucks, should start to arrive at the end of 2026. Complete delivery – including rope shovels – is expected around mid -2027. Most of the manufacturing takes place in the United States, strengthening an important industrial link.
Q: These machines are massive. I imagine that you will need a lot of qualified people to operate and maintain them. How do you prepare the job market?
TIM: This is a central reason to associate with Komatsu – not only for equipment but to build human capital. They bring systems, simulators and expertise to Pakistan.
We have already joined the Hunar Foundation, starting with a training center in Nok Kundi. The operator simulators – mainly immersive driver training – are installed there, with plans to develop in Dalbandin.
We also invest in practical instructions in electric work, manufacturing and welding. Komatsu and Hunar are both an integral part of our long -term vision of the development of localized skills.
Q: In the Thar coal project, women were trained to drive trucks. Can we expect a similar initiative at Reko Diq?
TIM: Absolutely. About 15% of our workforce is currently women and we work to increase this number. The roles of driving and maintenance of trucks are excellent entry points – they are less physically demanding, and with training, women can be fully excelled. We have seen this succeed elsewhere in Pakistan, and we are committed to reproducing it here.
Q: With such an important capital investment, will the project have an impact on Pakistan’s import bill?
TIM: Yes. Most equipment is made in the United States, payments occurring over the next two years. Deliveries began at the end of 2026 and continued until 2027. There is also a sustained import component, as Komatsu parts will require current purchases from the United States.
At the same time, we generate local value through workshops, storage and training programs. The local assembly and the construction of infrastructure will contribute to economic activity in Pakistan. We will start with 30 trucks, but as production increases around 250 million tonnes per year, the fleet will reach more than 100. Although it is a significant importance, it is also a basis for local growth.
Q: The fleet will go from 30 to more than 100 trucks – isn’t that massive?
TIM: It is. But Reko Diq is a massive mine. The ore body and output targets require this movement scale. Although the figures are important, they are proportional to the opportunity.
Q: Aside from the equipment contract, how do things progress in the field?
TIM: Progress has been encouraging. An absolute priority was the commitment with the local community of the Chaghi district. Jobs are being created, both directly at Reko Diq and through entrepreneurs.
A Quetta manufacturer, for example, has spread and hired more people to meet our needs. When I visited for the first time in 2022, it was a very different landscape. We now see a visible change: new infrastructure, training and employment centers. This project generates lasting opportunities through Balutchistan.
Q: How does the government support the Reko Diq project?
TIM: We had solid support from all levels – the community of Nok Kundi, the Balutchistan government and the federal government of Islamabad. There is a shared understanding of the importance of this project, both on a scale and in terms of foreign investment. If we execute this right, this can serve as a strong signal for global investors that Pakistan is open to long -term responsible partnerships.