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Summary
The apex court has sought the list of the 13 geologists working on the Reko Diq project, Dunya News reported on Tuesday. A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday, seized with petitions challenging a contract awarded to Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) for exploring gold and copper besides contempt petition by Barrister Zafarullah against the TCC for carrying out advertisements in the print media, although the matter is before the court.Briefing the SC on the Reko Diq project, Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) Chief Executive to Pakistan said that Pakistan is possessed with the biggest reserves of copper and gold, adding that modern technology is being used to explore these precious metals. He said that the company would also provide the locals with the technical expertise. He said that around $220million have been spent; 50 percent of the expenditures are going to be spent in Pakistan as thousand tons steel would be purchased from the local markets. Thirteen geologists are working on the project of whom 90 percent belong to Balochistan the TCC representative apprised the court and added that mining is vital for solid economy for its quite an expensive venture, billions of dollars are spent on drilling only. The case has been deferred till Wednesday (tomorrow).
