NRL identifies copper-gold mineralisation across eight discoveries in Chagai: Tabba

National Resources Limited (NRL), a wholly Pakistani-owned mineral exploration firm, has uncovered copper and gold deposits in at least eight porphyry discoveries within Balochistan’s Chagai district. This revelation follows nearly 25,000 metres of drilling, which has yielded promising outcomes, positioning the company on the cusp of its inaugural mineral resource assessment.

According to a company statement, one drill borehole revealed an impressive 295 metres of continuous mineralisation, boasting a grade of 0.43% copper and 0.13 grams per tonne of gold. Among these findings, a 132-metre section displayed an even higher copper concentration of 0.83%. Muhammad Ali Tabba, NRL’s Chairman, shared these details during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026.

The mineral discoveries are scattered across a 5.6 square kilometre area in Darigwan, adjacent to NRL’s earlier discovery at the Tang Kaur copper-gold porphyry system. Tabba anticipates that subsequent investigations at exploration licence EL214 will further substantiate the resource potential, contingent on the successful conclusion of exploration activities and the formal estimation of resources.

NRL, a joint venture between Fatima Fertilisers, Liberty Mills, and Lucky Cement Ltd, holds five exploration licences across Balochistan, encompassing projects in copper-gold, lead-zinc, and antimony mining. The company is currently engaged in exploration activities across these diverse mineral ventures. NRL plans to commence comprehensive environmental, hydrogeological, metallurgical, and geotechnical assessments in 2027, with the objective of delivering a bankable feasibility study by the end of the decade.

Tabba reaffirmed the company’s commitment of $100 million towards mining exploration in Pakistan and extended an invitation to domestic and international investors and service providers to explore emerging opportunities. Preliminary resource estimates have been prepared by a third-party consultant, but NRL has chosen to withhold their publication until they comply with international reporting standards.

The company is diligently working towards its first-ever mineral resource estimation, adhering to international benchmarks.

To expedite the exploration process, NRL has initiated the development of a predictive artificial intelligence model in partnership with Lahore University of Management Sciences. This collaboration aims to leverage geological modelling and data amassed through NRL’s drilling program, thereby accelerating the discovery and evaluation of mineral resources.

Tabba emphasized the company's broader vision to construct a world-class mineral exploration platform, contributing to an integrated mineral value chain, spanning from discovery and mining to processing and value-addition. This initiative is expected to foster the development of local expertise, as Balochi geologists collaborate alongside international consultants, while Pakistani contractors carry out inclined drilling.

The company’s technical workforce is predominantly local, aligning with NRL's objective to foster domestic capabilities that could also support international exploration initiatives.