QUETTA - The appellate authority of Mines and Mineral Department of Balochistan government has dismissed the appeal of Tethyan Copper Company (TTC) Pakistan for mining licence for multi-billion dollar Reko Diq copper and gold project in Chaghi district.
Earlier, the company had submitted a feasibility report with a request to director general of Mines and Mineral Department for issuance of mining licence. The company had pleaded in its application that it had completed the exploration of the project therefore this was the right of company that mining licence be issued to it. The DG had rejected the application after pointing many defects in the application for mining licence.
The company then filed an appeal against the decision of the DG in the appellate authority comprising Mines and Minerals Department secretary, and the appeal was pending in appellate authority for a long time.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan had ordered the appellate authority for disposing the appeal of company by March 3, 2012. The appellate authority heard the appeal during last two days. Khalid Anwar advocate appeared on behalf of TCC while Balochistan Advocate General Amanullah advocate represented the Mines and Minerals Department and the provincial government.
The appellate authority dismissed the appeal saying that exploration licence was issued to TTC Australia but mining licence has been sought by TTC Pakistan which was contrary to the rules and regulations of the mining.