ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a major step to develop its mineral resources as Sanjrani Mining Company (SMC) and China’s Guangdong Handar launched a joint venture to modernise mining in Balochistan.
The venture, tentatively named Pak-Handar Mining Services and Management Company, aims to boost mineral exploration, processing efficiency, and technological innovation in the resource-rich province.
Officials said the project will focus on sustainable extraction, better operational management, and local capacity building. It also seeks to introduce advanced mining techniques to support long-term economic growth and industrial development.
Under the agreement, Guangdong Handar will provide modern technology, operational guidance, and management expertise. SMC will contribute local knowledge, infrastructure, and regulatory support to ensure smooth implementation and compliance with provincial rules.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Guangzhou, China, by Liang Fa, rotating general manager of Guangdong Handar, and Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, SMC chairman and former Senate chairman of Pakistan. Both sides called the partnership a milestone in Pakistan-China industrial cooperation beyond energy and infrastructure.
Officials said the project is expected to create jobs, improve skills, and attract foreign investment to Balochistan’s mineral sector. The venture combines technology, expertise, and local knowledge to unlock Pakistan’s untapped mining potential while benefiting both countries under the CPEC framework.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last month had extended an invitation to Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in Balochistan’s mining sector, emphasising that if Pakistan and Malaysia join hands, they can bid farewell to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forever.
Addressing the Pakistan–Malaysia Business and Investment Conference in Kuala Lumpur, attended by both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
