Balochistan Mining Security Assessment 2026

Barrick Gold has reportedly halted or slowed the development of the Reko Diq mine (~55km from the mine site) due to escalating Middle East conflict and rising security risks (2026-04-15). In the broader corridor, a strict military lockdown in Noshki (~319km from the mine) has severely restricted civilian movement (2026-04-13). No kinetic security incidents were reported within the immediate 50km mine site radius this period. The N-25 supply route is assessed as NO_GO due to a 22-hour protest blockade at Wadh and the military lockdown in Noshki (2026-04-13). Regional security has sharply deteriorated following the Balochistan Liberation Army's first-ever maritime attack on a Pakistan Coast Guard vessel near Gwadar (~428km from the mine), killing three personnel and signaling a tactical expansion to coastal infrastructure (2026-04-12). Additionally, sectarian violence escalated in Quetta (~461km from the mine) with ISKP claiming the targeted killings of at least five Hazara community members (2026-04-12). Nationally, the collapse of US-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad has triggered a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global shipping and driving crude oil prices past $100(2026-04-13). To bolster economic stability, Saudi Arabia deposited $2 billion into the State Bank of Pakistan, providing critical support for the Rupee (2026-04-16). Gold: Rs 500,000/tola Copper: N/A

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