US will be sending equipment worth around $2 billion to Pakistan to mine precious metals in Balochistan region, the American embassy in Pakistan announced on 10th December. The embassy stated that the US Export-Import bank has approved $1.25 billion in funding for the Reko Diq mine in Pakistan-controlled Balochistan.
Reko Diq has one of the largest deposits of copper and gold in the world, and Pakistan has collaborated with US to excavate the metals. It is estimated that the mine will generate approximately $74 billion in free cash flow over the next 37 years. Barrick Gold owns 50% stake in the Reko Diq mine, while the governments of Pakistan and the province of Balochistan own the rest 50%. It is considered to be one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold mines.
In a video message, Natalie Baker, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad called the EXIM Bank financing a “game changer” for American businesses and local communities. Baker said that the Reko Diq mining project will generate around 6,000 jobs in the US and over 7,500 jobs in Pakistan.
Taking to X, the US embassy in Islamabad said, “With a new commitment of $1.25 billion in EXIM Bank financing, the U.S.-Pakistan partnership will drive economic growth in Balochistan. Watch Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker’s message to hear how this financing will be a game-changer for U.S. businesses and local Pakistani communities.”
With a new commitment of $1.25 billion in EXIM Bank financing, the U.S.-Pakistan partnership will drive economic growth in Balochistan. Watch Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker’s message to hear how this financing will be a game-changer for U.S. businesses and local Pakistani… pic.twitter.com/8EklYNLQpX
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) December 10, 2025
She further said, “In the coming years, EXIM’s project financing will bring in upto $2 billion on high-quality U.S. mining equipment and services needed to build and operate the Reko Diq mine.”
As per the official statement, the EXIM Bank facility will back massive American participation in infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects across Balochistan.
Natalie Baker claimed that the $1.25 billion financing reflects America’s commitment to Pakistan’s sustainable growth and benefit of local communities in Balochistan. However, the people of Balochistan have historically been opposed to its natural resources being extracted and sold away to foreign players while they get nothing.
Earlier, it came to light that Pakistan mortgaged Balochistan’s Gwadar port and resources to China and secretly offered rare earth magnets to the US as collateral for loans. Baloch activists described it as the “auctioning” of their homeland, with Islamabad treating Balochistan as a dispensable asset.
The Baloch freedom fighters have regularly attacked Pakistani security forces and resisted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Furthermore, Gplus reported a similar controversy when Trump claimed that Pakistan possessed massive oil reserves, discovered during “Operation Sindoor.” Activists again pointed out that these reserves were located in Balochistan and not in Pakistan’s heartland.
Balochistan is the most resource-rich region Pakistan has a hold on, having vast reserves of natural gas, oil, coal, copper and gold. However, despite the region’s resource affluence, its people have got nothing but economic exploitation from the Pakistani establishment. Take the case of Sui Gas Field.
Found in 1952, this gas field in Balochistan supplies much of Pakistan’s energy needs, yet Balochistan itself has very limited access to it. The excuse often given for this neglect is the rough terrains of Balochistan. However, Sui gas is supplied to the remote areas of Sindh and Punjab. While the CPEC promised billions in revenue, the Baloch people expect nothing to reach their pockets as evident from the high unemployment, and profits being funneled to Punjab-dominated elites or Chinese investors.
The people of Balochistan have resisted Pakistan’s attempts to plunder their resources for decades. From student uprisings to armed insurgencies, the demand has been consistent, that is, recognition of Balochistan’s sovereignty and control over its natural wealth. Every time Islamabad signs a new contract with a foreign investor, it does so under the shadow of army guns and enforced disappearances.
After China, the US is set to enter the restive Balochistan, with usual “this partnership will benefit local communities” promises, however, it is known that such partnerships are meant only to profit foreign businesses and fill the coffers of Pakistan Army leadership.
