Community Development and Engaging with NGOs
At Barrick, we view mining as a key driver of sustainable development and long-term value creation. Our industry delivers more than metals—it builds economies, strengthens communities, and unlocks opportunity. Nowhere is this more evident than at our Reko Diq Project in Balochistan, Pakistan, where a once-dormant asset is transforming into a powerful engine of economic growth, through Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC). The returns on our investment in community development and active community engagement are already visible. From infrastructure and employment to meaningful outcomes like the birth of the first child in generations at a community hospital, newly constructed from Reko Diq investment. It’s a tangible example of how responsible investment can deliver both financial and social returns.
For communities in the desert region surrounding Reko Diq, access to clean, potable water has long been a critical challenge—directly impacting public health and placing additional strain on already limited healthcare infrastructure.
As part of our commitment to responsible and sustainable development, RDMC has partnered with local communities and the Government of Balochistan to establish Community Development Committees (CDCs). These are community-led committees that work to set community development priorities for their communities. This process is based on the principle that the community knows their needs better than anyone else. RDMC provides governance and capacity building, while the Government of Balochistan provides support and tie-in to broader development plans for the region. The effectiveness of these CDCs is just an example of open and transparent engagement and true collaborative partnerships.
Through the CDCs, Barrick is delivering high-impact, community-led investments across District Chagai. These initiatives are aligned with our long-term commitment to sustainable development and strengthening our social license to operate.
To date RDMC has installed potable water treatment plants, including reverse osmosis systems, in the villages of Humai, Mashki Chah, Durban Chah, and Nok Chah, to deliver reliable access to clean water—an essential foundation for long-term social and economic resilience.
These efforts are already delivering measurable results. As further infrastructure comes online, thousands more residents will benefit from safer water, reduced health risks, and improved resilience to water scarcity, reinforcing the broader social value of Barrick’s investment in Reko Diq.
In education, our partnership with the Progressive Education Network (PEN) has reestablished seven primary schools, now staffed with qualified teachers and enhanced by ongoing training. Over 400 students are currently enrolled, with a new RDMC Scholarship Program supporting their transition to middle school, removing financial barriers for underserved families and building future capacity in the region.
In healthcare, Barrick has partnered with the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) to deliver accessible medical services in a region with limited infrastructure. New health centers in Humai and Nok Kundi, alongside a Mobile Health Unit, now provide essential care—including maternal, neonatal, and emergency services—to thousands of residents. Preventive care education is also a core component, promoting long-term community wellbeing.
By collaborating with reputable Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), we’re ensuring that these services are not only operational but sustainable creating lasting impact and enhancing the value of our investment in Reko Diq.
These NGOs and CSO partnerships are key to our community development philosophy as we have proven successfully across the globe (link to NM). Barrick, and RDMC, values the role that NGOs and CSOs play in the development of communities, and in the progress towards greater accountability and transparency across the public and private sectors. The development of communities’ and the defense of human rights, is a core value to Barrick.
It is therefore disappointing when some NGOs and CSOs choose to use a project like Reko Diq, that is clearly delivering and will continue to deliver benefits to the region, to drive their own geopolitical and anti-mining agendas. At Barrick we believe in honest and transparent communication based on facts. We expect the same in return. We will respond firmly to any actions that compromise our principles or values or that are simply unfounded. Where we have not aligned to our principles and standards, we encourage feedback and will endeavor to investigate and, where required, we are committed to rectify these instances.
We are proud of what we have achieved in collaboration with the communities, Governments of Balochistan and Pakistan, and NGOs and CSOs at the Reko Diq project already and are committed to continue to invest in community development and open dialogue in the region.