NRL Finds Chagai Copper Gold at Eight New Sites
Chagai copper gold is back in focus after National Resources Limited (NRL) reported copper and gold mineralisation at eight porphyry discoveries in Balochistan’s Chagai district, following nearly 25,000 metres of drilling.
NRL chairman Muhammad Ali Tabba announced the results at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad. The company is now working towards its first formal mineral resource estimate, and the new finds add to Chagai’s standing as Pakistan’s copper-gold belt, which also hosts the Reko Diq project.
The discoveries cover 5.6 square kilometres in Darigwan, next to NRL’s earlier copper-gold find at Tang Kaur. Tabba said further work at exploration licence EL214 was expected to establish substantial resources, subject to completion of exploration and a formal resource estimate.
NRL Chagai copper gold: the strongest drill results
One drill hole returned 295 metres of continuous mineralisation grading 0.43 per cent copper and 0.13 grams per tonne of gold. That included a 132-metre stretch grading 0.83 per cent copper, almost double the hole’s average grade.
A separate consultant has already prepared preliminary resource estimates, but NRL is withholding them until they meet international reporting standards. The company is now working towards its first formal mineral resource estimate under those standards.
Business Recorder, which also reported the announcement, confirmed the same drill results and said Tabba told the forum that the company was advancing towards its first mineral resource estimate. The figures match the account carried by ProPakistani.
What happens next
NRL plans to begin environmental, hydrogeological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies in 2027, aiming to complete a bankable feasibility study by the end of the decade. Tabba also reaffirmed the company’s 100 million dollar commitment to mineral exploration in Pakistan and invited local and foreign investors to explore opportunities.
NRL is a joint venture of Fatima Fertilisers, Liberty Mills and Lucky Cement. It holds five exploration licences in Balochistan, covering two copper-gold projects, one lead-zinc project and two antimony projects.
The company is also building an artificial intelligence model with the Lahore University of Management Sciences to speed up exploration. Its technical workforce is almost entirely local, with Baloch geologists working alongside international consultants.
A find that builds on last year’s announcement
The new results follow NRL’s first major announcement at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, when Tabba revealed significant copper-gold mineralisation at Tang Kaur. At that stage the company had completed 13 diamond drill holes covering 3,517 metres, all of which showed signs of mineralisation, and had identified 18 new prospects in its licence area.
That background matters because it shows the Chagai programme moving from early prospecting to a defined set of drill-tested targets. The eight discoveries reported this week sit beside Tang Kaur rather than replacing it, which widens the area NRL can now take towards a resource estimate.
The minerals forum itself drew delegations from 60 countries this week, and provincial leaders used the event to pitch their own mineral resources. Provinces also assured investors of security cover for mining operations, a point that matters for projects in remote districts such as Chagai. Pakistan is also seeking more LNG cargoes for the winter, which shows how energy and minerals sit together at the top of the government’s investment agenda.
For now, the Chagai finds remain at the exploration stage. No resource figure has been published, and no mine has been approved. But eight drill-confirmed discoveries, a local workforce and a feasibility timetable give the project a clearer path than it had a year ago.
Frequently asked questions
What has NRL found in Chagai?
NRL has found copper and gold mineralisation at eight porphyry discoveries in Chagai district, Balochistan, after nearly 25,000 metres of drilling. The finds cover 5.6 square kilometres in Darigwan, next to the earlier Tang Kaur discovery.
What were the best drill results?
One drill hole returned 295 metres grading 0.43 per cent copper and 0.13 grams per tonne of gold, including a 132-metre stretch grading 0.83 per cent copper.
When will NRL publish a resource estimate?
NRL is working towards its first formal mineral resource estimate under international reporting standards. It plans to start detailed studies in 2027 and aims to complete a bankable feasibility study by the end of the decade.
Who owns NRL?
NRL is a Pakistani-owned joint venture of Fatima Fertilisers, Liberty Mills and Lucky Cement. It holds five exploration licences in Balochistan.
