The Special Investment Facilitation Council has cleared long-running lease hurdles, unlocking a $200 million Khuzdar mining investment in the Barite-Lead-Zinc Project. The project had remained on the SIFC agenda since December 2023. Officials worked with the parties to resolve lease-related issues that had delayed implementation. “Through SIFC’s facilitation, long-pending lease-related issues were successfully resolved, enabling the project to move forward,” the council said. The breakthrough allows work to advance on a major base-metal development. It also supports the government’s effort to remove investment bottlenecks in Pakistan’s mineral sector. Project Economics and Ownership The project sits at Gunga, about 16 kilometres from Khuzdar in Balochistan. It will produce high-grade barite, lead and zinc concentrates for domestic and export markets. Bolan Mining Enterprises is developing the scheme as a joint venture between Pakistan Petroleum Limited and the Government of Balochistan. Both partners hold equal stakes, while PPL serves as operator and carries a 50 percent working interest. PPL records place the indicated resource at more than 69 million tonnes. SIFC expects the mine to operate for 34 years and generate annual revenue of $150 million to $230 million. Read More: Pakistan Invites Chinese Companies to Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 Those earnings could increase Pakistan’s mineral exports and bring foreign exchange into the economy. The development could also create jobs, support local businesses and expand economic activity in Khuzdar. BME has worked in Balochistan since 1974 and already runs barite mining and grinding operations near Khuzdar. PPL says the venture meets almost 90 percent of Pakistan’s barite demand from the oil and gas exploration industry. The company also exports much of its barite output to Gulf markets. This production base may help the BLZ project connect with established mining, processing and export operations. Implementation and Wider Impact PPL and BME reached a major milestone at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad in April 2025. They signed an operational agreement with the Balochistan government, formally opening the implementation phase. Before that agreement, BME had completed extensive drilling and feasibility work. PPL says the exploration programme included about 10,000 metres of resource drilling at 27 locations. A German consultant, DMT Consulting GmbH, prepared the bankable feasibility work. Balochistan granted a lead-zinc mining lease in 2021 after the studies confirmed the deposit’s economic potential. Read More: Saudi-Pakistan Ties Deepen: Inside Pakistan’s Big Plan at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh SIFC said the project’s progress showed the government’s commitment to an investor-friendly environment. It said authorities would continue removing regulatory barriers and facilitating strategic investments in mineral development. “This achievement underscores SIFC’s pivotal role in unlocking Pakistan’s untapped mining potential, strengthening investor confidence, and supporting sustainable economic growth through high-impact mineral sector investments,” the council said. The project now faces the challenge of converting agreements into construction, production and measurable benefits for local communities. Its success will depend on timely execution, responsible mining practices and transparent sharing of economic gains in Balochistan.