National Resources Limited (NRL), a 100% Pakistani-owned mining company, has confirmed significant copper-gold mineralization in Chagai, Balochistan — a breakthrough that could reshape the country’s mineral development landscape.
The discovery was announced by NRL Chairman and Lucky Cement CEO Muhammad Ali Tabba at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, held Monday.
NRL, a joint venture of Fatima Fertiliser, Liberty Mills, and Lucky Cement, was granted its exploration lease in October 2023. Since then, it has identified 18 new prospects in the region, including “Tang Kaur,” which has advanced to a drilling phase.
The company has completed 13 diamond drill holes totalling 3,517 meters, with all intersecting porphyry-style alteration and mineralisation. Assay results from the first six holes confirm promising near-surface mineralization, with copper equivalent grades ranging from 0.28% to 0.56%.
Further drilling is scheduled for May 2025, followed by an NI 43-101 Technical Report by year-end. NRL also holds a Lead-Zinc license adjacent to a known deposit and is exploring the feasibility of downstream processing.
The firm, working closely with the Government of Balochistan and SIFC, is pursuing two additional exploration licenses backed by a $100 million fund, and has signed an MoU with OGDC for future collaboration.