China should transport Afghan gold through Gwadar Port

[LRE]

QUETTA: Economically it will be in interest and benefit of China if it transports Afghani gold and copper to Beijing and international markets through Gwadar Port. Sources in Balochistan government told APP Wednesday

Chinese government was interested in making Gwadar Port fully functional as it would help it shift Afghani gold and copper to Beijing and international markets in a easy and economical manner. They said China had invested about $ 03 billion in gold and copper mining projects in Afghanistan. “If China transports this gold and copper to Beijing through Afghanistan, it will have to bear heavy expenses while its transportation will take long time,” they added. To a question, they said due to its indifferent attitude, the Singaporean operator could not make Gwadar Port operational.

They claimed China was keen in taking control of Gwadar Port and Reko Dik gold and copper mining projects of Balochistan. “Chinese firm has submitted counter proposal that if mining contract of Reko dik project is handed over to MCC (Chinese metallurgical company), it would give Balochistan government 25 percent share in the income besides 05 percent royalty. MCC also offered that it would construct roads besides setting up a power plant at Rekodik,” they added. The official sources said that Balochistan government could ink agreement with the Chinese company on Rekodeq if it includes transfer of Chinese technology on mining to the province besides giving it status of a decision making member of the board of directors. app

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