20000221

Minerals worth billions of dollars await mining

ISLAMABAD: The precious minerals worth billions of dollars in different parts of Pakistan are awaiting mining, said the Managing Director, Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) Maj Gen Agha Masood Hassan (Retd).

According to geological surveys conducted by national and foreign teams, Pakistan's deserts and mountains are replete with gold, chromite, copper, iron ore, coal, manganese, platinum, sulphur, silver, lead, zinc and other minerals, he told APP in an interview.

These minerals can be explored economically, provided domestic or foreign investors give attention to it under a well-planned national mineral policy, he added.

Iron-ore recently discovered in Balochistan can be used in Karachi Steel Mills and the huge coal deposits in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan can run power generating plants, saving in billions of dollars foreign exchange he said.

He said if little effort is made precious stones, marble and onyx can find their way into foreign markets but funding is the problem. Establishment of Mineral Development Bank and encouragement and guidance to private sector can overcome this problem. "Well-prepared feasibility reports are with us, private sector can study it", he added.

Similarly, a university for minerals should be set up in Gilgit, besides colleges in different mining disciplines. These can help boost mining industry in the country.

The managing director said coal deposits with trillions of tonnes can be used for making coal bricks for use as fuel in mountainous areas to save precious forests.

All old civilisations found on Pakistan soil like Moenjodaro, Harappa and Taxila were well-versed with use of gold, silver, copper and iron. They found these minerals in the areas where Pakistan in situated, he observed.

He said the PMDC has been successfully turned into a profit-earning organisation after running nine years in losses. Mafia in 400 years old Khewra Salt Mines have been broken with the induction of private sector. "These mines have entered into green area now", he said.ÑAPP