Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has moved its Barite, Lead and Zinc (BLZ) project in Balochistan into the execution phase after signing a project management consultancy agreement with Germany’s DMT, marking a key milestone in one of Pakistan’s largest planned open-pit mining ventures.
The company disclosed in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Wednesday that it signed the consultancy contract with DMT a day earlier, formally commencing execution activities for the project.
The BLZ project is being developed under a joint venture arrangement between PPL and the Government of Balochistan. The latest development follows the execution of Amendment No. 1 to the operating agreement for the project in April 2025.
PPL said the appointment of DMT as project management consultant reflects its commitment to international standards, technical excellence, and efficient project implementation. The company expects the project to become an important driver of economic activity in Balochistan while supporting growth in Pakistan’s mining sector.
The project is expected to increase domestic production and exports of barite, lead, and zinc, commodities that are widely used in drilling operations, batteries, alloys, and industrial applications. Pakistan has been actively seeking to expand its mineral sector in recent years, with policymakers identifying mining as a potential source of export earnings and foreign investment.
The BLZ project traces its origins to the 2004 Barytes Project agreement between PPL and the Government of Balochistan. In April 2025, both parties signed an amended operating agreement to broaden the project’s scope beyond barite and include lead and zinc deposits.
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