Islamabad: Pakistan’s copper exports, almost entirely sourced from the Saindak mine in Balochistan, surged to a record USD 842 million in 2024, marking the highest annual export value in the mine’s history.
Newly released trade data reveals that copper exports rose from USD 777 million in 2023 to USD 842 million last year. This milestone caps a remarkable growth trajectory for the Saindak mine, which has evolved from modest beginnings in 2005 when exports totaled just USD 14.6 million.
Over nearly two decades, the mine’s output has steadily increased, establishing Saindak as a key player in Pakistan’s mineral export sector. Despite controversies and political debates over the mine’s leasing to Chinese operators in the early 2000s, its economic contribution has grown significantly, though often outside the public spotlight.
The export figures reflect a slow but consistent rise in the first decade under Chinese management, followed by sharper growth in recent years driven by higher global copper prices and more stable production. By 2021, copper exports had already surpassed the USD 500 million mark, and the trend continued upward to break the USD 800 million barrier in 2024.
The Saindak mine’s performance underscores its increasing importance to Pakistan’s economy and highlights the country’s potential in the global minerals market.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
