Unidentified assailants attacked a mining site operated by National Resources Limited (NRL) in the Darigwan area of Chagai, Balochistan, late Tuesday, prompting a swift response from security forces and renewed focus on the risks surrounding resource projects in the province. According to a holding statement issued on April 22, the attack took place at approximately 5:45pm. Security personnel, including the Frontier Corps, secured the site shortly after the incident, with clearance and sweep operations ongoing.
The company said it is coordinating with authorities and will provide further updates, but did not disclose details on casualties or damage. NRL said employee safety remains its top priority and highlighted its local workforce footprint, noting that over 90% of employees at the Darigwan site are from Balochistan. The incident comes as Pakistan attempts to revive private-sector participation in mining, particularly in resource-rich regions like Chagai, which hosts major deposits including those near Reko Diq.
NRL is part of a newer wave of domestic investment aimed at scaling up mineral development beyond flagship projects. The sector has gained momentum following the resolution of the long-running dispute over Reko Diq and the re-entry of global players such as Barrick Gold. However, security concerns remain a key constraint, particularly in Balochistan, where infrastructure and extractive projects have historically faced disruptions. For emerging operators like NRL, project viability depends not just on resource potential but on the ability to maintain uninterrupted operations in volatile environments—an issue that continues to shape investor appetite for Pakistan’s mining sector.