MCCT: Flagship leading the way of China-Pakistan mining cooperation

As a subsidiary of China Minmetals Corp and Metallurgical Corp of China, MCC Tongsin Resources, or MCCT, is committed to the resource development of nonferrous metals. Its businesses have expanded across countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Eritrea.

Starting from the Saindak Copper-Gold Mine Project, MCCT has established a whole-industry-chain operation system integrating geological exploration, mining, concentration and smelting, trade, and logistics, making the company a vital player in the global mining market.

Pioneering model

The SCGP stands as an exemplary project of China-Pakistan economic cooperation, having maintained a continued profitability in the industry for 22 years in a row.

Adopting a "Chinese technology plus localized operation" model, it has established a complete and sound system throughout the industry chain. This ranges from geological surveys to mining, concentration and smelting, water and power supply, and other related domains.

The project has also phased in a safety and integrity system, the Amoeba management model, quality standardization, an intelligent material management system, and has constructed a comprehensive standardized management system centered on "environment, systems and behavior", all of which have made it an industry pacesetter.

As an engine driving the economic growth of Balochistan in Pakistan, the SCGP has trained a large number of talented workers, purchased $1.1 billion worth of materials, spent $30 million in transportation and logistics, contributed $722 million of taxes and royalties, and committed $20 million to public welfare undertakings.

This has become part of the project's endeavors to pursue sustainable development driven by "capacity building plus community development".

The company has funded Saindak Model High School and Saindak Hospital, which exemplify MCCT's commitment to social responsibility beyond commercial objectives.

Marking a new chapter, MCCT established the multinational joint venture, KoheSultan Mining Company Limited, also known as KMCL, in Pakistan in 2021.

Its Siah Dik Copper Mine, listed as the only mineral-related project with priority implementation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is to create 2,000 jobs and indirectly improve livelihoods for nearly 10,000 residents upon completion and operation.

Pursuing the vision of "sustainable, green and eco-friendly mining practices, empowered by digital intelligence, a livable homeland for all, and a hub for talents", the project will remain committed to nurturing mining industry workers, guiding resource development in the communities, and fostering local economic growth.

To date, KMCL has invested more than $3.5 million to its social well-being activities for improving people's livelihoods. Thanks to such commitments and efforts, both upstream and downstream industry chains are rapidly developing, and a new chapter in China-Pakistani mineral cooperation is unfolding.

Future vision

MCCT's strategic blueprint focuses on establishing a "Southern Port and Northern Mines "economic circle.

It will do this by establishing a mining/processing/trading whole-industry-chain cluster by exploiting the copper-gold ore belt in northern Pakistan, forging a cross-border resource trading hub while leveraging the geological advantages of Gwadar Port, and by deepening cooperation with local governments, research institutes and international investors, and developing an inclusive profit-sharing mechanism in mineral resource exploitation.

This is all with the aim of achieving a win-win development of both resources and regions.