Karachi, April 8, 2025 — Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited has announced a major milestone in Pakistan’s mining sector: a significant discovery of copper-gold mineralization in Balochistan by its joint venture, M/s. National Resources (Private) Limited (NRL).
In a communication to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the company revealed that NRL, in which Fatima Fertilizer holds a 33.33% equity stake, made the discovery within its exploration lease in District Chagai, granted in October 2023. The find represents a crucial advancement in copper exploration efforts in the region.
NRL has identified several promising copper-gold prospects within the leased area. Among them, the “Tang Kaur” prospect has entered an advanced exploration phase. The company has already completed 13 diamond drill holes totaling 3,517 meters, with the first six holes (1,500 meters) confirming mineralized zones ranging from 48 to 148 meters in thickness.
The grades are encouraging, with intercepts averaging between 0.23% and 0.48% copper, 0.09 to 0.14 g/t gold, and 1.30 to 6.21 g/t silver. These figures translate to a copper equivalent of 0.28% to 0.56%, marking the discovery as potentially economically viable. The mineralization remains open in multiple directions, suggesting further potential for expansion.
NRL has scheduled a more advanced drilling campaign at Tang Kaur for May 2025, with the goal of completing a NI 43-101 Technical Report by the end of the year. This will pave the way for several years of detailed exploration and eventual feasibility studies. Meanwhile, exploration across other copper prospects within the leases is ongoing.
To strengthen its presence in the sector, NRL has also secured a lead-zinc exploration lease adjacent to an existing deposit and is examining downstream processing options as part of a broader copper value chain strategy.
NRL remains committed to inclusive development, with over 90% of its workforce drawn from local communities. It also supports regional education, healthcare, and clean water initiatives. In partnership with the Government of Balochistan and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), NRL is seeking two additional copper-gold licenses, backed by a $100 million exploration fund.
Fatima Fertilizer views NRL’s copper discovery as a strategic opportunity to diversify and enhance long-term shareholder value.