Local Population Reaping Benefits from Reko Diq Project: Ali Raza

Dalbandin: The district of Chagai is starting to experience the benefits of the Reko Diq project, with local populations receiving special preference in employment and social development initiatives. Ali Raza, Senior Communications Officer of the Reko Diq Mining Company, shared these insights during a conversation with local journalists in Dalbandin.

Raza highlighted that 77% of the employees at Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) are from Balochistan, with 65% of them hailing from Chagai district. He added that many local youths have been appointed to senior positions, while a large majority of the lower workforce is also composed of local individuals. Furthermore, the company is prioritizing local contractors and suppliers in its operations.

The RDMC has invested in social development and welfare projects even before commencing production, focusing particularly on health, education, water supply, and technical training. Seven schools that had been closed for years in the vicinity of Reko Diq have been revived, and scholarships have been awarded to children in remote areas to further their education.

In response to a question, Raza mentioned that RDMC has established a Community Grievance Mechanism to address complaints. Additionally, the company regularly engages with various community groups through open public forums to address concerns and resolve issues.

Regarding skill development, he stated that the RDMC Training Institute, established last year under the Skills Foundation in Nokundi, has already started producing skilled local graduates. Many of these graduates have been employed in the Reko Diq project, and this initiative will continue to meet the project’s requirements in the future.

Raza emphasized that the benefits and impacts of the Reko Diq project will be far-reaching and urged the public to focus on ground realities rather than entertaining negative speculations or fake news, to ensure that the true facts are not distorted.