The United States signalled a significant boost to Pakistan’s mining sector as the US Export-Import Bank approved $1.25 billion in project financing for the Reko Diq copper and gold mine, a move expected to bring in as much as $2 billion in American mining equipment and services over the coming years. In a video statement on X, US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker said the financing would support the development and operation of one of the region’s most valuable critical mineral sites.
Baker noted that the project will generate an estimated 6,000 jobs in the United States and around 7,500 jobs in Balochistan, calling Reko Diq a model for mining ventures that benefit both US exporters and local communities. She added that the initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s renewed focus on commercial diplomacy, emphasising partnerships that advance shared economic interests.
Her remarks follow the US Export-Import Bank’s broader plan to invest heavily in critical mineral supply chains. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Exim chair John Jovanovic confirmed the $1.25 billion loan for Reko Diq as part of a larger $100 billion strategy aimed at securing resources vital for energy, nuclear power, and LNG.
Baker said Washington hopes to see further agreements between American firms and Pakistani partners in the mining and critical minerals sector, framing the Reko Diq investment as a step toward boosting employment and economic growth in both countries.
