Barrick Gold buys De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft for gold mining in Pakistan

Aircraft to support Reko Diq mining company in Balochistan

Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland has announced the sale of a Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft to Barrick Gold Corporation. The aircraft will be used for operations at the Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC), a project of Barrick Gold, in Balochistan province in Pakistan.

For the first time, Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland has sold its Dash 8-400 turboprop to Barrick Gold Corporation, which will operate the aircraft to support its Reko Diq Mining Company project in Balochistan, Pakistan.

In a press statement, De Havilland says that this aircraft is expected to facilitate personnel and cargo transport at Reko Diq, which is one of the largest mining projects in South Asia.

“We are proud to support Barrick’s operational expansion in Pakistan with the Dash 8-400, a proven performer in rugged and remote environments. This aircraft is ideally suited to meet the demands of mining logistics, offering unmatched performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency,” says Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, De Havilland, Canada.

It adds that the Dash 8-400 was selected for its speed, short takeoff and landing capability, and capacity to operate in difficult terrain. Its lower fuel consumption and operating cost were also cited as key factors in the purchase, aligning with Barrick’s stated safety and sustainability goals.

The statement says that the aircraft will serve internal transport needs across Barrick’s mining sites and is part of the broader logistics framework being developed to support the Reko Diq project.

“Having the Dash 8-400 as part of our fleet ensures safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for our personnel and equipment. This investment underscores our commitment to building and operating to RDMC’s world-class standards,” says John Henderson, Director, Aviation, Barrick Gold.