Pakistan Mining Updates

[ghazi52]

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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.


Author: Lt Gen Hassan Azhar Hayat, Commander 11 Corps

 

[SoulSpokesman]

@ghazi52

Ghazi sb,

This is with reference to the article above. When a Jarnail of a country starts writing about the mineral reserves it tells you what is wrong with the way a country/economy is run.

Regards

 

[ghazi52]

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NMD students complete special mining training​

Three-month training sponsored by FC North in collaboration with FWO

Correspondent
June 16, 2023

The Construction Technology Training Institute (CTTI) in Islamabad on Friday held a certificate distribution ceremony for students of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) after they completed a special train course sponsored by the security forces.

Frontier Corps (FC) North, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), in collaboration with Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) sponsored mining training of youth in newly merged districts.

Two short-term courses were taught at the Construction Technology Training Institute (CTTI) in Islamabad catering to the youth of Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber.

As a result, the students were able to benefit from the training course free of cost, in addition to the accommodation facilities provided to them that were also covered.

At least 50 students from all three districts participated and, subsequently, successfully completed the three-month programme which started on April 1.

On successful completion of the training, a certificate-giving ceremony was held at CTTI Islamabad.

Inspector General FC North and Director General FWO distributed certificates among the students.

Notably, upon the success of the courses, FC North is set to sponsor another batch of students at CTTI for additional training programmes starting June 15.

Previously, a total of 150 students from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber and Chitral were selected to participate in these courses.

The region remains in desperate need of support and infrastructure as it recovers from years of conflict and terrorist activity.

This month, tribal elders from the newly merged districts had demandedof the federal government that development funds of the merged districts including those of the Accelerated Implementation Program (AIP) should be released without any delay so that long-lasting issues and deprivations of the tribal districts could be addressed.

They said that the merger of erstwhile Fata into K-P was no doubt a good step, but the newly merged districts were still suffering from multiple challenges needing special attention from both the federal and provincial governments.

It may be noted that for the fiscal year 2022-23, the federal government had initially allocated Rs50 billion for the merged districts of K-P, including Rs30 billion under the 10-year erstwhile FATA Development Plan.

Earlier this year, however, the federal government had taken over control of the Rs50 billion budget meant for the merged districts of erstwhile FATA in K-P.

 

[ghazi52]

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1669615749604810753

 

[ghazi52]

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MARI granted license to explore minerals in Chagai, Balochistan​

• Grant 'in line with its strategy to diversify into near core areas and its commitment to contributing to the growth of the mineral mining sector'

BR
August 25, 2023

Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MARI), one of Pakistan’s largest energy and exploration companies, has received approval for mineral exploration in Chagai, Balochistan.

MARI shared the development in its notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday.

“The Directorate General Mines & Minerals Balochistan has granted an Exploration License (EL-186) and allotted an area of 501 sq. km to Mari Petroleum Company Limited for mineral exploration near Dalbandin, District Chagai, Balochistan,” read the notice.

MARI said that the grant is in line with its strategy to “diversify into near core areas and its commitment to contributing to the growth of the mineral mining sector of Pakistan”.

The mining sector has recently been in the limelight as authorities seek to attract foreign investments in the largely unexplored sector.

Earlier this month, Islamabad conducted the first Pakistan Mineral Summit to attract international investors interested in the country’s mining sector. This was attended by Barrick Gold Corporation CEO and President Mark Bristow, Saudi Mining Minister Engineer Khalid bin Saleh Al Madifar and other investors.

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir had said at the time that the summit had laid down new rules for ease of doing business for domestic and foreign investors in the country.

“We will ensure an investor-friendly system that avoids unnecessary delays and provides easy terms and conditions for business. There are vast mining opportunities in our country which will be realized through joint efforts.”

 

[ghazi52]

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Pakistan’s first mineral processing project in Balochistan eyes $250mn exports​

• Balochistan government signs joint venture agreement with Platinum Mining Company to develop country’s first mineral processing project in the province

Bilal Hussain
August 31, 2023

 

[ghazi52]

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MCC proposes Export Processing Zone and Mineral-based industrial park in Pakistan​

By Fatima Javed
Oct 24, 2023

ISLAMABAD - To facilitate and improve the mineral sector of Pakistan, the China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) suggested the establishment of an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) for metal mining and the creation of a mineral-based industrial park in Pakistan.

The proposal was given during the high-level meeting of MCC with Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, in Beijing on Monday.

The initiative would generate numerous job opportunities and contribute to the nation's foreign exchange earnings.

The Senate of Pakistan’s official notification stated that the meeting, centered on enhancing cooperation and collaboration in the mineral sector, resulted in a range of significant developments and promises of continued partnership.

Delegates from both sides engaged in discussions surrounding matters of mutual interest while acknowledging the vital role of mineral resources in the economic growth of Pakistan. In a demonstration of unwavering support, Chairman Senate assured MCC of his full support in promoting the mineral sector in the country.

The meeting witnessed the proposal of a groundbreaking new project in Chagai, operating under the auspices of an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). Chairman Senate expressed his anticipation of this project becoming a landmark endeavor, reminiscent of the success of the Reko Diq, which will significantly contribute to Pakistan's economic development.

In a testament to the importance of this project, Chairman Senate pledged to invite key officials, SIFC representatives, and the MCC Chief to the grand launch event in Chagai.

The MCC delegation reaffirmed its commitment to Pakistan, indicating a willingness to invest further in the mineral sector, with a special emphasis on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

 

[ghazi52]

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With nearly $100M in investment, Chinese company MRDL just completed the on-load trial run of its 2.75 megaton per year Concentrate Expansion Project at Saindak Copper-Gold Project in Balochistan, ready to bring more jobs and momentum to local economy.