ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Mar 21, 2007
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- 182,781
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Minerals & Mining
Pakistan has the world’s second largest salt mines, fifth largest copper and gold reserves and second largest coal deposits, as well as estimated billions of barrels of crude oil. Despite having this huge potential, contribution of mineral sector to Pakistan’s GDP is around 3% and country’s exports are only about 0.1% of the world’s total. In the year 2017,
Pakistan’s total mineral exports were 0.5 Billion USD as compared to the world’s 401 Billion USD. KPhason its inventory several varieties of Gems, Metallic Minerals, Rare Earth Minerals, Marble / Dimension Stone (50 types) and Industrial Minerals. The spread is almost all over KP landmass, especially in Northern areas and NMDs.
Total mineral’s worth of KP is estimated to be around Rs 200 trillion. Dimension stones reserves are estimated to be around 3 Billion tons, amounting to approximately 78% of the total estimated national reserves, whereas Gems, Metallic Minerals, Industrial Minerals are estimated to be around 10 Billion tons in NMDs alone, amounting to be 20% of the estimated national reserves.
KP mineral development policies and regulations put in place in year 2017 have started to pay dividends and present production of minerals in KP is around 40.2 Mn Tons per year. The revenues have increased from approximately Rs 2.1 Billion in year 2018-19 to Rs 8.2 Billion in year 2021-22 with 61% increase in a short period of 3 years. However, in complete province, very few Joint Ventures are undertaken – including FWO’s signature Muhammad Khel Copper Mining Projectin Boya North Waziristan District. As per mining experts, this area can be developed into a “Copper City”.Mining value chain explains that mining duration from small scale to large scale can be anything from 3 to 9 years. Hence in times to come small-scale mining activities will form the major share of mining?
In KP, huge amount of minerals are extracted in raw form and exported as such. The province has at present no ability to carry out value addition or produce a finished product. It is unfortunate that up till now, even after 75 years of independence, no worthwhile mineral-based industry could be established in the country except marble and ceramic. Not a single reputable gold or jewelry related manufacturing / refinery setup exists in Pakistan. The mineral potential of KP especially NMDs, if taped properly, can address its own and Pakistan’s financial woes.
Pakistan has the world’s second largest salt mines, fifth largest copper and gold reserves and second largest coal deposits, as well as estimated billions of barrels of crude oil. Despite having this huge potential, contribution of mineral sector to Pakistan’s GDP is around 3% and country’s exports are only about 0.1% of the world’s total. In the year 2017,
Pakistan’s total mineral exports were 0.5 Billion USD as compared to the world’s 401 Billion USD. KPhason its inventory several varieties of Gems, Metallic Minerals, Rare Earth Minerals, Marble / Dimension Stone (50 types) and Industrial Minerals. The spread is almost all over KP landmass, especially in Northern areas and NMDs.
Total mineral’s worth of KP is estimated to be around Rs 200 trillion. Dimension stones reserves are estimated to be around 3 Billion tons, amounting to approximately 78% of the total estimated national reserves, whereas Gems, Metallic Minerals, Industrial Minerals are estimated to be around 10 Billion tons in NMDs alone, amounting to be 20% of the estimated national reserves.
KP mineral development policies and regulations put in place in year 2017 have started to pay dividends and present production of minerals in KP is around 40.2 Mn Tons per year. The revenues have increased from approximately Rs 2.1 Billion in year 2018-19 to Rs 8.2 Billion in year 2021-22 with 61% increase in a short period of 3 years. However, in complete province, very few Joint Ventures are undertaken – including FWO’s signature Muhammad Khel Copper Mining Projectin Boya North Waziristan District. As per mining experts, this area can be developed into a “Copper City”.Mining value chain explains that mining duration from small scale to large scale can be anything from 3 to 9 years. Hence in times to come small-scale mining activities will form the major share of mining?
In KP, huge amount of minerals are extracted in raw form and exported as such. The province has at present no ability to carry out value addition or produce a finished product. It is unfortunate that up till now, even after 75 years of independence, no worthwhile mineral-based industry could be established in the country except marble and ceramic. Not a single reputable gold or jewelry related manufacturing / refinery setup exists in Pakistan. The mineral potential of KP especially NMDs, if taped properly, can address its own and Pakistan’s financial woes.
