A Compilation Report on the Mineral Ores of Pakistan

A Compilation Report on Mineral Ores of Pakistan

Submitted By: H. Jawad Sohail Geologist (R&D)

Submitted To: Niaz Khan Sb. Director Technical

Muhammad Kashif SDM (R&D)

Research and Development

Sitara Chemical Industries Ltd.

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CONTENTS 1. Background ........................................................................................................................................... 4

2. Major Mineral Ores of Pakistan ............................................................................................................ 5

2.1. Antimony ....................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1.1. OCCURRENCE IN PAKISTAN ................................................................................................... 5

2.1.2. USES ...................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2. Chromite ....................................................................................................................................... 6

2.2.2. USES ...................................................................................................................................... 6

2.3. Copper ........................................................................................................................................... 7


2.3.2. Uses ....................................................................................................................................... 8

2.4. Gold / Silver ................................................................................................................................... 9


2.4.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 11

2.5. Iron Ore ....................................................................................................................................... 12

2.5.1. OCCURRENCE IN PAKISTAN ................................................................................................. 12

2.5.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 12

2.6. Lead and Zinc .............................................................................................................................. 15


2.6.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 16

2.7. Manganese .................................................................................................................................. 16


2.7.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 17

3. SOLID FUEL .......................................................................................................................................... 18

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3.1. Coal ............................................................................................................................................. 18

4. Oil and Gas .......................................................................................................................................... 20

5. GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES ............................................................................................................ 21

6. CERAMIC MINERALS ............................................................................................................................ 22

6.1. Barytes ........................................................................................................................................ 22


6.1.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 23

6.2. China Clay .................................................................................................................................... 23


6.2.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 24

6.3. Feldspar ....................................................................................................................................... 24


6.3.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 25

6.4. Fuller’s Earth ............................................................................................................................... 25


6.4.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 26

6.5. Fire Clay ....................................................................................................................................... 26

6.5.1. OCCURRENCE IN PAKSITAN ................................................................................................. 26

6.5.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 27

6.6. Silica sand/Glass sand ................................................................................................................. 27


6.6.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 28

7. FERTILIZER AND INDUSTRIAL MINERALS ............................................................................................ 28

7.1. Gypsum and Anhydrite ............................................................................................................... 28


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7.1.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 29

7.2. Magnesite ................................................................................................................................... 29


7.2.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 30

7.3. Rock Salt ...................................................................................................................................... 30


7.3.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 31

7.4. Soapstone and Talc ..................................................................................................................... 32

7.4.1. Occurrence in Pakistan ....................................................................................................... 32

7.4.2. USES .................................................................................................................................... 32

8. BUILDING AND DECORATIVE STONES ................................................................................................. 33

9. Overall mineral under exploration and exploitation .......................................................................... 34

10. Mineral statistics (GSP publication 2011) ....................................................................................... 35

11. Mineral Production data of 2014- 2015. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (Govt. of Pakistan) .......... 44

12. Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 49

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1. BACKGROUND

At the time of independence only six mineral commodities including chromite, coal, sulphur,

gypsum, limestone and salt were being mined in appreciable quantities in Pakistan. Now, large to

medium scale production of over sixty mineral commodities has started. Geological

environments suitable for the localization of important metallic minerals such as antimony, gold,

lithium, silver and platinum group elements have been identified in different parts of the country.

In addition to its traditional usage, minerals are now finding new applications in the fields of

electronics, optics, advanced metallurgy & materials and environmental sustainability in

Pakistan.

Vast resources of coal (186 billion tonnes), Copper (6000 million tonnes), gold (1656 million

tonnes), silver (618 million tonnes), lead-zinc (23.72 million tonnes), manganese (.597 million

tonnes), chromite (2.527 million tonnes), iron ore (1400 million tonnes) and precious and

semiprecious stones have been identified in different parts of the country. Inexhaustible

resources of gypsum, fire clay china clay, fullers earth, rock salt, basalt, bentonite, building stone

and construction materials are available in all the provinces and are being utilized in large

quantities.

During the recent past production of iron ore, coal, barytes, bentonite, various types of industrial

clays, fire clay, gypsum, limestone, onyx & ordinary marble, magnesite, ochre, silica sand,

dolomite, ebrystone, fuller’s earth, rock phosphate, rock salt, and soapstone has increased

appreciably. Starting of production of copper-gold ore at Saindak and discovery / detailed

exploration of copper-gold at Reko Diq in Chagai district of Balochistan province has brought

Pakistan amongst the metal producing countries of the world.

Gemstones and industrial minerals such as nepheline syenite, abrasives, mica, graphite, trona,

lithium, rare earth metals and platinum group elements hold bright prospects in near future.

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2. MAJOR MINERAL ORES OF PAKISTAN

2.1. Antimony

Antimony is a minor ore of the element antimony,

although most antimony comes from antimony

compounds (namely Stibnite), which are much greater in

abundance.

Antimony is a native element that can occur in a natural

state, but it is rarely pure. It almost always contains some

arsenic, and may also contain traces of silver, iron, and

sulfur. On a fresh or preserved surface, Antimony has a

tin-white color with a slight blue tinge. Otherwise, it is

dark gray due to tarnish.

2.1.1. OCCURRENCE IN PAKISTAN

Vein type deposits of antimony ore mineral - stibnite are known from the vicinity of Qila

Abdullah, Panjgure, Kharan and Turbat districts in Balochistan province and hosted mostly in

Khojak and Hushab shale. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, antimony occurs in the Lutkho and Partisan

areas near Krinj village, Chitral district. Stibnite (Sb2S3) is found as veins, lenses and irregular

masses along shear zones in Chitral slates. Present estimate of available ore, in the country, is

86,000 tonnes but detailed investigations may prove more tonnage. The reported average annual

production has been over 200 metric tonnes but now-a-days due to various tribal issues its

production is almost negligible.

2.1.2. USES

Antimony has a very interesting property: It is similar to water, in that instead of contracting

when it solidifies, like all other matter, it expands. For this reason, it is useful industrially: It is

mixed with other metals when a consistent size is required through large temperature ranges -

mostly in anti-friction bearings. Antimony is also used in medicinal research, and is used as a

dye to color glass.

The largest application for metallic antimony is an alloy with lead and tin and the lead antimony

plates in lead-acid batteries. Alloys of lead and tin with antimony have improved properties for

solders, bullets and plain bearings. Antimony compounds are prominent additives for chlorine

and bromine-containing fire retardants found in many commercial and domestic products. An

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/element.aspx

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/compound.aspx

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral/Stibnite.aspx

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emerging application is the use of antimony in microelectronics. Antimony is used in the

electronics industry to make some semiconductor devices, such as infrared detectors and diodes.

Antimony compounds are used to make flame-retardant materials, paints, enamels, glass and

pottery. The manufacture of lead storage batteries, like the ones used in cars and trucks, account

for about one-fifth of all the antimony used each year. A small amount of antimony is also used

in making transistors, which are found in such consumer electrical devices as computer games,

pocket calculators, and portable stereos.

2.2. Chromite

Chromite, the principle ore of the

element chromium, is a commercially

valuable mineral.

Chromite is an oxide mineral composed

of chromium, iron, and oxygen

(FeCr2O4). It is dark gray to black in

color with a metallic to submetallic

luster and a high specific gravity.

2.2.1. OCCURRENCE IN

PAKISTAN

At present chromite is being produced from Muslimbagh, Wad and Sonaro areas of Balochistan

province and Malakand and Kohistan areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The entire

chromite produced in the country is exported.

Generally, Pakistani chromite containing over 46% Cr2O3, 10 to 15% Al2O3, less than 10%

SiO2 and with Cr, Fe ratio over 2.8. Present estimate of available ore in the country is over 2.527

million tonnes. The reported average annual production is 30,366 metric tons. The Chaghai-

Raskoh chromite deposits of Balochistan contain 47~57% Cr2O3 having 2.6 ~ 3:1 Cr: Fe ratio

and the estimated reserves are about 30,000 tons.

2.2.2. USES

Chromium is a metal used to induce hardness, toughness, and chemical resistance in steel. The

alloy produced is known as "stainless steel." When alloyed with iron and nickel, it produces an

alloy known as "nichrome" which is resistant to high temperatures and used to make heating

units, ovens, and other appliances. Thin coatings of chromium alloys are used as platings on auto

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/ore.aspx


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parts, appliances, and other products. These are given the name "chrome plated." It is also used

to make superalloys that can perform well in the hot, corrosive, and high-stress environment of

jet engines.

Chromium's name comes from the Greek word "chroma" which means "color." Chromium is

used as a pigment in paint. The familiar yellow lines painted down the center of highways and

the yellow paint used on school buses are often "chrome yellow" - a color produced from

chromium pigment. Chromium is an important pigment in many types of paint, ink, dye, and

cosmetics.

2.3. Copper

Copper is one of the most famous and useful

metals, and has been important since ancient

civilizations for ornaments and coinage.

Copper is a transition metal and it is widely

distributed in many parts of the world. It

occurs mainly as mineral combinations with

iron, sulfur, carbon and oxygen.


Balochistan Province has vast resources of copper ore. Porphyry type copper ore bodies have

been discovered by the Geological Survey of Pakistan at Saindak, Dasht-e-Kain, Kabul Koh,

Koh-i-Dalil, Missi and Ziarat Pir Sultan (Ahmad 1986). All these deposits occur in Chagai

District of Balochistan province. Similar deposits may be found in the Federally Administered

Tribal Areas (FATA) and the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) while massive

sulphide type copper deposits may be found in Chagai, Lasbela and Khuzdar districts of

Balochistan, Wazirstan Agency, FANA and other Tribal Areas.

Data on Saindak copper-gold deposit is as follows:

Production of blister copper started from the 412 million tonnes Saindak copper gold deposit,

during 1995 and stopped due to certain reasons after making the trial production of 1,500 tonnes

of blister copper which was successfully marketed in the International Market. The production

resumed in 2002 through a contract with a Chinese firm M/S Metal Construction Company

(MCC) which later on reformed as Resource Development Company Limited (MRDL). The

project is producing 15,672 tonnes of copper blister, 51852 Oz of gold (1.47 metric tonnes) and

97356 Oz of silver (2.76 metric tonnes) annually.

Reko Diq Copper - Gold deposit is a very promising deposit, discovered by GSP in 1978-79.

M/S Tethian Copper Company (TCC) has invested over 500 million US $ for exploration of the

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deposit which is expected to start production within next few years. Later on the ownership of

TCC was sold jointly to M/S Barrik Gold of Australia and Antofagasta of Chile, both holding

37.5% share each while the Government of Balochistan is holding 25 % share. Current status of

this world class deposit is that the Government of Balochistan has declined to convert the

“Prospecting Lease” of the area to “Mining Lease” and the matter is sub-judicious. Basic facts

about the deposit are given below:

Reserves > 5 Billion tonnes

Copper Content = 0.54 %

Gold = 0.24 g/t

Figure showing Koh-e-Daleel in Reko Diq

2.3.2. USES

Copper is easily stretched, molded, and shaped. It is resistant to corrosion and conducts heat and

electricity efficiently. As a result, copper was important to early humans and continues to be a

material of choice for a variety of domestic, industrial, and high-technology applications today.

Presently, copper is used in building construction, power generation and transmission, electronic

product manufacturing, and the production of industrial machinery and transportation vehicles.

Copper wiring and plumbing are integral to the appliances, heating and cooling systems, and

telecommunications links used every day in homes and businesses. Copper is an essential

component in the motors, wiring, radiators, connectors, brakes, and bearings used in cars and

trucks. The average car contains 1.5 kilometers (0.9 mile) of copper wire, and the total amount of

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copper ranges from 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in small cars to 45 kilograms (99 pounds) in

luxury and hybrid vehicles.

Copper also conducts heat well and is used for thin-walled copper tubing in air conditioning and

refrigeration units, motor vehicle radiators, home heating systems, steam condensers etc.

Copper's corrosion resistance and ease with which it can be joined make it suitable for plumbing

fittings and water reticulation systems, automotive fuel lines, sea water desalination plants and

hydraulic systems. Copper sulphate is used as a fungicide and as a trace element in fertilisers.

Copper is used also for making coins and scientific instruments as well as in decorative

applications. Two important alloys are formed from copper. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and

bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.

2.4. Gold / Silver

Gold is one of the most popular and well-known minerals, known for its value and special

properties since the earliest of time. Gold in its natural mineral form almost always has traces of

silver, and may also contain traces of copper and iron. A Gold nugget is usually 70 to 95 percent

gold, and the remainder mostly silver. The color of pure Gold is bright golden yellow, but the

greater the silver content, the whiter its color is. A natural alloy of gold and silver is known as

Electrum, and is usually classified as a variety of Gold.

Gold is one of the heaviest minerals. When pure, it has a specific gravity of 19.3. Due to its

weight, it can be panned because the Gold sinks to the bottom. In addition, it can be easily

separated from other substances due to the weight differences. Gold is also the most malleable

and ductile substance known.


It has been established that there are

indications that Pakistan has a significant

potential of gold, particularly in the folded

belt regions (Northern Mountain belt, Island

Arc system), its association with

volcanogenic sequences, porphyry copper

and in shear zones. In the Northern Areas,

spread of gold anomalies is concentrated

along the Main Karakorum Thrust (MKT) within each geologic unit. The distribution of gold

anomalies, obtained through geochemical sampling, vary between 2 ppm to 330 ppm in this area.

Gold panning was in practice at several places in the northern areas now constituting Pakistan

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/alloy.aspx

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/specific_gravity.aspx

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/malleable.aspx

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along the course of Indus River and its tributes before partition. Locally some gold is still

produced in these areas. Precambiran shield rocks exposed in Chiniot area of Punjab and

Tharparkar area of Sindh are also favourable for localization of gold deposits. Large scale

production of gold and silver along with copper has started from Saindak porphyry copper

deposits in Chagai district of Balochistan. Deposits are as:

Reserves > 5 Billion tonnes

Copper Content = 0.54 %

Gold = 0.24 g/t

Figure showing the exploration licences for mining projects.

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Figure showing Reko Diq gold and copper deposits

2.4.2. USES

Gold has been used as a precious metal throughout the history of mankind. This is due to its

resistance, beauty, rareness, and the fact that it is very easy to work with. Many exotic gold

ornaments from the past have been found. Especially noteworthy are the golden ornaments from

the tombs of the Pharaohs in Egypt, where gold masks, statues, coins, and much jewelry was

archeologically excavated. Gold has been used for coinage throughout the centuries, and is

currently accepted internationally as a standard value. Nowadays, the main use of gold is for

jewelry. As pure gold is easily bent and dented, it is always alloyed with other metals when used

in jewelry. This makes it more durable and practical for ornamental use. The purity of the gold

based on the alloyed metal is measured in karat weight. The karat measurement determines the

percentage of gold to other metals on a scale of 1 to 24, with 24 karats being pure gold. Due to

gold's distinctive properties as a metal, it has several industrial uses. It is used in photography,

dentistry, coloring, and is currently being studied for cancer treatments.

Silver has many unique physical properties that give it very special status. Silver is the best

conductor of electricity, is the second most malleable and ductile metal, and is in greater

abundance than all other precious metals with similar properties. Due to its unique properties and

intrinsic beauty, it is extensively used industrially and as ornaments.

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/resistance.aspx

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/conductor.aspx

http://www.minerals.net/Mineral_Glossary/ductile.aspx

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Silver is largely used as jewelry, ornaments, and coins. It is very easy to work with, and beautiful

objects are created from it, such as goblets, candelabras, trays, and cutlery. In the industrial

sector, silver is widely used for electrical apparatuses and circuits. It is also used for medicinal

purposes, particularly in dentistry, for bactericides, and for antiseptics.

2.5. Iron Ore

Iron ores are rocks from which metallic

iron can be economically extracted.

These rocks are usually found in the

form of hematite (Fe2O3) or magnetite

(Fe3O4). About 98% of world iron ore

production is used to make iron in the

form of steel.

2.5.1. OCCURRENCE IN

PAKISTAN

Many small and large deposits of iron

ore have been found in different parts of

the country. Important among these are the Dammel Nissar and Langrial deposits of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, Chichali and Kalabagh deposits of Punjab province and Chilghazi, Chigendik and

Pachin Koh deposits of Balochistan province (Asrarullah 1976). The iron ore deposits recently

discovered by the GSP at Dilband in Kalat district, Uthal in Lasbela district of Balochistan and

Nizampur area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are of great economic significance.

Present estimate of available ore in the country is over 1,400 million tonnes. The reported

average annual production is 341,651 metric tonnes (2010-2011). It must be noted that the

production of iron ore has registered a tremendous increase (about 1300%) during the last 3-4

years as compared to the average production. During the last 10 years the average production

was 24,322 metric tonnes.

2.5.2. USES

The primary use of iron ore is in the production of iron. Most of the iron produced is then used to

make steel. Steel is used to make automobiles, locomotives, ships, beams used in buildings,

furniture, paper clips, tools, reinforcing rods for concrete, bicycles, and thousands of other items.

It is the most-used metal by both tonnage and purpose.

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Iron is used to manufacture steels of various types. Powdered iron is used in metallurgy products,

magnets, high-frequency cores, auto parts and catalyst. Radioactive iron (iron 59) is used in

medicine and tracer element in biochemical and metallurgical research. Iron blue has use in

paints, printing inks, plastics, cosmetics, paper dyeing. Black iron oxide is used as pigment in

polishing compounds, metallurgy, medicine and magnetic inks.

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Iron ore deposits of Pakistan

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2.6. Lead and Zinc

Lead and zinc ores are usually found together

with gold and silver. The two principal

minerals containing lead and zinc are galena

and sphalerite. These two minerals are

frequently found together along with other

sulfide minerals, but one or the other may be

predominant. A lead-zinc ore may also contain

lead sulfide, zinc sulfide, iron sulfide, iron

carbonate and quartz. When zinc and lead

sulfides are present in profitable amounts they

are regarded as ore minerals. The remaining rock and minerals are called gangue.

The lead produced from lead ore is a soft, flexible and ductile metal. It is bluish-white, very

dense, and has a low melting point. Lead is essentially a co-product of zinc mining or a

byproduct of copper and/or gold and silver mining.

Zinc is a shiny, bluish-white metal. Zinc metal is never found pure in nature. Zinc minerals are

generally associated with other metal minerals, the most common associations in ores being zinc-

lead, lead-zinc, zinc-copper, copper-zinc, zinc-silver, or zinc only.


The Geological Survey of Pakistan has discovered several deposits of lead and zinc ore in

Lasbela-Khuzdar region of Balochistan Province. These deposits are associated with carbonate

rocks of Windar Group and Shirinab Formation. Three of these deposits namely Gunga, Surmai

and Duddar have been investigated in some details by GSP with the help of UNDP and JICA.

The results of these investigations were found very encouraging (Ahsan et. al. 1994). PMDC

with the technical and financial assistance of UNDP undertook the preliminary evaluation of

lead-zinc deposits at Duddar and evaluated 6.86 million tonnes of proved reserves and 3.43

million tonnes of inferred reserves with 11.34% zinc and 2.01% lead (Jones and Shah 1994).

These deposits have been jointly evaluated for development by Pakistan Mineral Development

Corporation (PMDC) and Balochistan Development Authority (BDA) and the earlier estimates

of reserves have almost been doubled. The preliminary investigations by the GSP have indicated

the availability of over 10 million tonnes of lead-zinc ore along with baryte at Gunga near

Khuzdar, Balochistan with about 8 percent total metal value (Ahsan et.al.1994). At Surmai,

exploration work carried out by GSP and JICA proved the presence of 2.93 million tonnes of ore

with average metal content of 6.5 percent (Ahsan et.al. 1994). Further exploration may reveal

additional reserves in the area as only a very small part of the deposit was investigated during the

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project period. Present estimate of available ore, in the country, is over 23 million tonnes.

Production of lead-zinc commenced during 2010-2011 with total metal production of 12692

metric tonnes (Lead + Zinc).

2.6.2. USES

Lead is one of the most widely used metals and over 60% of all lead produced is used in lead–

acid batteries for the storage of energy. Other uses include lead foil, plumbing, solder, sound

proofing, ammunition, addition to glass to block harmful radiation from television and computer

screens and as an ultraviolet ray protector in PVC plastics. Lead is toxic in some applications and

environmental and health concerns have reduced its use in paint pigments and anti-knock

additives in petrol. Over 50% of the supply is recycled from scrap, particularly lead–acid

batteries of which more than 90% are recycled.

Zinc is the third most used non-ferrous metal after aluminium and copper. About 50% of

production is used for galvanizing steel to protect it from rust. Zinc compounds and dusts are

used in cosmetics, plastics, rubber, ointments, sun screen creams, soaps, paints, ink, fertilizers

and batteries. Around 30% of zinc used in the western world comes from recycling.

2.7. Manganese

Manganese ore is a silver-gray metal with a pinkish tinge. It is a hard metallic element although

it is quite brittle. Manganese ores are found in metamorphic rocks or sedimentary deposits.

Elemental manganese readily

combines with oxygen, carbon, and

silicon to form a long list of

manganese minerals. Manganese

ores generally contain 25 to 45

percent manganese, mostly in

oxide (or hydroxide) and carbonate

minerals. Manganese ores are

widespread, but most of the

world’s supply is from a small

number of manganese mining

districts.

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Manganese ores are found at many localities in Lasbela, Kharan, Chagai and Zhob districts in

Balochistan. The host rock of almost all the manganese deposits in the Lasbela district is the volcanic

assemblage of olivine basalt and pillow lava belonging to Bela Volcanic Group. The manganese minerals

are mainly psilomelane, and pyrolusite which occur in the jasperoid layer above pillow lava and below

shale sedimentary rocks. The manganese occurrences in Chagai district are found as veins cutting

limestone beds and basalts of Cretaceous age. These occurrences are reported from Ras Koh (Charkohan

area) Siah Koh and Sotkinoh in Chagai district of Balochistan. The manganese deposits reported from

Zhob district occur in altered siliceous limestone associated with pillow lava of Cretaceous age. The

manganese localities in Zhob district of Balochistan are at Naweoba and Warsak Killi area.

Present estimate of available ore, in the country, is over 600,000 metric tonnes and the average annual

production is 2,712 metric tonnes. Current production of manganese has shown an increase over the

past few years, as earlier it was about 1,500 metric tonnes per annum.

2.7.2. USES

As much as 90 percent of manganese consumption, both in the United States and globally, is

accounted for by the steel industry. Manganese removes oxygen and sulfur when iron ore (an

iron and oxygen compound) is converted into iron. It also is an essential alloy that helps convert

iron into steel. As an alloy, it decreases the brittleness of steel and imparts strength. The amount

of manganese used per ton of steel is rather small, ranging from 6 to 9 kilograms. About 30

percent of that is used during refinement of iron ore, and the remaining 70 percent is used as an

alloy in the final steel product. Manganese is used also as an alloy with metals such as aluminum

and copper. Important nonmetallurgical uses include battery cathodes, soft ferrites used in

electronics, micronutrients in fertilizers, micronutrients in animal feed, water treatment

chemicals, colorant for automobile undercoating, bricks, frits, glass, textiles, and tiles. The

product “manganese violet” is used for the coloration of plastics, powder coatings, artist glazes,

and cosmetics.

Manganese metal is used as a colourant in bricks and ceramics and is a catalyst and oxidizer.

Manganese dioxide is used in dry cell batteries, in black paints to quicken drying time, to

decolour glass and in the manufacture of ferroalloys. Manganese sulphate is used as a

micronutrient in fertilizers and animal feeds. It is an important trace nutrient in animals and

humans as it cofactors with enzymes and is a detoxification agent. It aids the body in absorbing

Vitamin B1 and makes bones strong and flexible. In the form of Potassium Permanganate it is

used as a bactericide and algaecide in water and wastewater treatment. Manganese dioxide is

used to depolarize dry cell batteries, to reduce discoloration of green glass and even to help dry

black paint.

http://geology.com/minerals/sulfur.shtml

http://geology.com/metals/

http://geology.com/usgs/uses-of-copper/

http://geology.com/articles/color-in-glass.shtml

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3. SOLID FUEL

3.1. Coal

The recent work by GSP has proved that Sindh Province has very large reserves of coal. The coal

resource base of this province alone exceeds 185 billion tonnes out of the total coal resources of

the country exceeding 186 billion tonnes. Sindh province, especially huge lignitic resources at

Thar make the future hope of Pakistan for production of thermal /electrical energy based on coal

fired power stations. The coal resources base of the Punjab Province is over 235 million tonnes.

Balochistan Province has a coal resource base of over 217 million tonnes but due to thin and

steeply dipping coal seams, obtaining large production is not possible. Small power plants based

on local coal may however, be planned for Chamalang, Mach, Sor Range - Daghari, Pir Ismail

Ziarat, Khost - Shahrig - Harnai and Duki areas. Coal also occurs in Kotli district of Azad

Jammu and Kashmir and in Cherat and Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Orakzai Agency in

FATA.

Almost the entire production of indigenous coal is being used for firing brick kilns and some

industrial units. Two coal fired power plants with 7.5 MW capacities each were operational since

1964 near Quetta but have since been closed. Three coal fired power plants of 50 MW capacities

each based on fluidized bed technology have been set up at Khanot near Hyderabad.

Present estimate of available coal resources in the country is over 186 billion tonnes. The

reported average annual production is 3.3 million metric tonnes.

The GSP had discovered over 175 billion tons of lignite coal in Thar desert in 1992. The project,

“Creation of New Processing Facilities for handling and purification of Coal Gas (HPCG)

produced by underground coal gasification” was approved in the CDWP meeting. The aim of the

project was to create new processing facility for handling and purification of coal gas produced

by underground coal gasification located in Tharparkar. (GSP Publication, 2011).

According to Sindh Coal Authority (Govt. of Sindh), coal deposits of Pakistan are as:

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Coal resources of Baluchistan in million tonnes are:

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Location map showing coal resources of Pakistan.

4. OIL AND GAS

The average production of May, 2016 is as:

Oil = 83,054.90 bbls/day

Gas = 4009.87 mmcf/day

LPG = 1670.76 m. tons/day.

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33 rigs are active and total area under exploration is 360716.44 Sq.kms.

5. GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES

Some of the important gemstones, which have given Pakistan a recognized position amongst

supplier of precious and semi-precious stones in the international market, include emeralds,

rubies, topaz (golden and white), tourmaline, garnet, beryl, zircon, rutile, quartz, rutile quartz,

morganite, apatite, spinel, pargasite, sphene, agate, zoisite, epidote, emerald-colour tourmaline,

diopside, amethyst, scheelite, moon stone, aquamarine and fluorite. Mainly these deposits have

been found in Gilgit-Baltistan, FATA and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

In the Chaghai area of Baluchistan, chrysocola, malachite, azurite, turquoise, glossularite garnet,

brown Garnet, zircon, obsidian, jade, jasper, phrolusite, lazurite, lapis lazuli and spar has been

reported but only limited work has been done there so far.

Varicolored agates, chrysoprase, chalcedony, geodes, citrine and smoky quartz from Chaghai

area, pistachio green vesuvianite, serpentine and idocrase from Zhob area, green quartz from

Wad area, citrine, smoky quartz and jasper from Kharan and Lasbela area, auriferous quartz from

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Panjgur, brown garnet, fluorite from Kalat area, blackish greenj jaberjet from Kharan area,

aragonite from Killa Abdullah area, agates in loralai amethyst from Khuzdar has been reported.

6. CERAMIC MINERALS

6.1. Barytes

Barytes (or barite) is the naturally occurring

mineral form of barium sulphate. Its main

properties are its high specific gravity (4.5),

very low solubility; it is non-toxic, and also

chemically and physically unreactive.


The barytes deposits of Balochistan province were discovered by the Geological Survey of

Pakistan (Ahmad and Klinger, 1967). These deposits are located in the area between Uthal and

Khuzdar. The production from indigenous deposits meets the total requirement of barytes for oil

well drilling and barium based chemical plants of the country. The barytes deposits of the

country are sufficient and suitably located for large scale production to meet local demand and as

well as export. Total reserve of barytes in Pakistan has been estimated at 13.71 million tonnes

and it is believed that more resources are available in the country. The reported average annual

production is 33,312 metric tonnes.

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6.1.2. USES

Barite is the main ore of the element barium. The high specific gravity of barite makes it suitable

for a wide range of industrial, medical, and manufacturing uses. Barite also serves as the

principal ore of barium. Most barite produced is used as a weighting agent in drilling muds in Oil

industry (80%). Other uses are in chemical - electronics, TV screen, glass, ceramics and medical

applications (barium meals) (10%) and fillers - car, rubber and paint industry, radiation shielding

(9%).

6.2. China Clay

China clay, as the name suggests, is a

material known as kaolin, which was first

used in China more than ten thousand years

ago to make fine white porcelain.

One of the purest of the clays, composed

chiefly of the mineral kaolinite usually

formed when granite is changed by

hydrothermal metamorphism.


China clay deposits are found at Shah Dheri, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in Nagar Parkar,

Sindh. Some smaller deposits have also been found in Dir, Hazara and Gilgit. The Geological

Survey of Pakistan discovered both the Shah Dheri and Nagar Parkar deposits (Moosvi 1975;

Kazmi et. al. 1973) and investigated these deposits in detail with the help of detailed geological

mapping, channel sampling and physical and chemical tests. The Shah Dheri deposits have been

evaluated to contain 29.8 million tonnes (Moosvi 1975) of raw china clay. Plagioclase rich

leuco-quartz diorite is the parent rock from which kaolin has been formed as a result of alteration

of feldspars. Kaolin zones occur as patches, pods and streaks in unaltered rock. Typical analysis

of Swat china clay is as follows:

Overall estimation for the country has not been worked out but it is believed that huge resources

are available in the country. The reported average annual production is 22,790 metric tonnes,

registering about 50% decrease over the past few years.



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6.2.2. USES

China clays have long been used in the ceramic industry, especially in fine porcelains, because

they can be easily molded, have a fine texture, and are white when fired.

Paper, Kaolin performs two quite separate functions in papermaking. As a filler or loading, it is

incorporated within the body of the paper, both reducing its overall cost and improving its printing

properties. It is also a coating pigment, enhancing the surface properties of the paper, such as brightness,

smoothness and gloss, thus allowing the accurate reproduction of color printing.

6.3. Feldspar

Feldspar is the most abundant mineral group in the

Earth’s crust. There is more feldspar (60%) than all

the other minerals combined in the outer (13-17) km

of the crust.

Feldspar is the name given to a group of minerals

distinguished by the presence of alumina and silica

(SiO2) in their chemistry. This group includes

aluminum silicates of soda, potassium, or lime.

Feldspars include three compositional end members:

K-feldspar (KAlSi3O8), albite (NaAlSi3O8),

anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8).


Large deposits of both sodic and potassic feldspars

with over 6 billion tonnes of reserves have been

found near Mingora and Bunair in Swat district of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Badshah 1994). Feldspar is widespread in pegmatites in Chitral, Gilgit

and Skardu. Deposits of orthoclase feldspar are also present in Nagar Parkar area of Sindh.

Overall estimation for the country has not been worked out but it is believed that large resources

of feldspar are available in the country. The reported average annual production is 150,487

metric tonnes. Production of feldspar has shown tremendous, about 500% increase, over the past

few years.

http://www.sandatlas.org/composition-of-the-earths-crust/

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6.3.2. USES

Feldspar-rich rocks are used as an aggregate. Clay deposits are derived primarily from feldspar-

rich rocks. Feldspars are primarily used in industrial applications for their alumina and alkali

content. Feldspars are raw materials for glass and ceramic industries. Ca-rich plagioclase

feldspar has some potential as an aluminum ore, but currently it is more economical to extract

aluminum from bauxite. They are also used in metallurgy. Some iridescent feldspars are valued

as gemstones and many feldspar-rich rocks are valued building and monument stones. Feldspar

is used as a flux to lower down the melting point e.g., glass.

6.4. Fuller’s Earth

Fuller's earth is any clay material that has the

capability to decolorize oil or other liquids

without chemical treatment. Fuller's earth

consists primarily of hydrous aluminum silicates

(clay minerals) of varying composition. Common

components are montmorillonite, kaolinite and

attapulgite.


Punjab and Sindh provinces have very large resources of Fuller’s earth. In Sindh these deposits

occur at Thano Bulla Khan (District Dadu), Shadi Shahid (District Khairpur) while in Punjab the

main deposits are found in D.G. Khan. Fuller’s earth is formed along the flood plains of ancient

river channels. The Paleocene-Eocene rivers which deposited coal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,

Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh also deposited Fuller’s earth in the adjoining areas. The present

production is being utilised in oil refining and other industries in the country. It is also being

used by insecticide, foundries vegetable oil, ghee and steel industries. Thus a sharp rise in the

demand of Fuller’s earth is expected in future. Overall estimation for the country has not been

worked out but it is believed that huge resources are available in the country. The reported

average annual production is 6,774 metric tonnes, showing notable decline in production over

the past few years as earlier it was about three times of this figure.

http://www.sandatlas.org/bauxite/

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6.4.2. USES

Fuller’s Earth clay is sedimentary clay that has been widely used as a skin-lightening agent and

is best known for its ability to be applied as “facial bleach.” Because of its enormous drawing

capabilities, Fuller’s Earth is the number one choice for oily. It has oil-absorbing, cleansing and

antiseptic properties that make it very helpful in treating various hair and skin conditions. It

literally draws oil from the skin and has been used industrially for this same purpose. This clay

has been around for quite some time and recent developments in the natural cosmetics and

skincare industries have helped to recontextualize this useful clay as more than just a solvent that

simply soaks up spilled automotive oil. It has also been used as bulk garage clay that many

mechanics use to soak up oil and other automotive spills. It is a useful base ingredient for facial

clay recipes and adds a nice finishing touch to clay products promising to aid its user with their

battle against oily skin.

6.5. Fire Clay

Clay capable of withstanding high temperatures,

chiefly used for making firebricks. Fire clay is a

normal mud, simple as that, but a mud with

higher Alumina (AL) content. Has usually

whiter-lighter color. A good fireclay should have

24-26% plasticity and shrinkage after firing

should be within 6-8% maximum. It should also

not contain more than 25% Fe2O3.

6.5.1. OCCURRENCE IN PAKSITAN

Sizable deposits of fire clay are found in the province of Punjab, which is also the main

consumer of this commodity. Large deposits occur in Mianwali, Sargodha and Attock districts.

Fire clay is also found in Thatta and Dadu districts of Sindh and D.I. Khan district of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa. These are residual sedimentary deposits generally found at the base of Patala

Formation of Paleocene age in the Punjab and at the base of Sonhari beds of Paleocene age in

Sindh. The bulk of the present production is obtained from Mianwali and Sargodha deposits

which could be classed as heavy duty refractory clay. It is used mainly for furnace lining in

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Oligocene sediments. Large lenticular bodies of silica sand occur in meta sediments in Mohmand

Agency with reserves of over 537 million tonnes. Total reserves of silica sand in Pakistan are

estimated to be 557 million tonnes and reported average annual production is 317,225 metric

tonnes. The production of silica sand has also shown an upward trend and it has increased about

20% over the past few years.

6.6.2. USES

Commercial Silica Sand is widely used as a proppant by companies involved in oil and natural

gas recovery in conventional and unconventional resource plays. The resource is also used in

industrial processing to make everyday items such as glass, construction materials, personal care

products, electronics, and even renewable materials. Construction applications include tile

adhesives and grouts, cement-based self-leveling compounds, renders, mortar additives, fire

cements, block paving and roofing felts. For industrial and manufacturing applications, deposits

of silica-yielding products of at least 95% SiO2 are preferred. Silica is hard and chemically inert

and has a high melting point, attributable to the strength of the bonds between the atoms.

From water filtration, to glass manufacture, to industrial casting, to sand blasting, to producing

concrete, to adding texture to slick roads, silica sand impacts every aspect of daily life.

7. FERTILIZER AND INDUSTRIAL MINERALS

7.1. Gypsum and Anhydrite

Gypsum is soft white or gray evaporite

mineral most commonly found in layered

sedimentary deposits in association with

halite, anhydrite, sulfur, calcite, and

dolomite. Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) is very

similar to Anhydrite (CaSO4). The

chemical difference is that gypsum contains

two waters and anhydrite is without water.

Gypsum is the most common sulfate

mineral. Compared to gypsum, anhydrite

exhibits cleavage in three directions at right

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angles and has a greater hardness. Its right angle cleavage and lack of acid reaction allows it to

be distinguished from calcite. Compared to halite, anhydrite is insoluble and slightly harder.


Pakistan has very large reserves of gypsum/anhydrite found in all the provinces of the country.

Major deposits are those of Daud Khel, Khewra and D.G. Khan Punjab, Kohat Region in Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa. and Spintangi and Chamalang in Balochistan. Smaller deposits occur in Dadu

district of Sindh and Lasbela district of Balochistan. Present estimate of available gypsum

resources in the country is over 4,850 million tonnes. The reported average annual production is

1,041,972 metric tonnes, registering an increase of about 100% over the past few years.

7.1.2. USES

Gypsum uses include: manufacture of wallboard, cement, plaster of Paris, soil conditioning, a

hardening retarder in portland cement. Varieties of gypsum known as "satin spar" and "alabaster"

are used for a variety of ornamental purposes; however, their low hardness limits their durability.

Anhydrite can be substituted for gypsum in some of its uses. Both minerals are crushed for use as

a soil treatment, and in this purpose anhydrite is superior. One ton of anhydrite has more calcium

than one ton of gypsum because gypsum is about 21% water by weight. This yields more

calcium per ton in a soil application. Anhydrite also has a higher solubility, which helps it benefit

the soil quickly. Small amounts of anhydrite are used as drying agents in plaster, paint, and

varnish. It is also used along with gypsum to produce plaster, joint compound, wallboard, and

other products for the construction industry. Anhydrite has also been used as a source of sulfur in

the production of sulfuric acid.

7.2. Magnesite

Magnesite is a natural ore identified as a magnesium

carbonate, occuring as a primary mineral in igneous

and sedimentary rocks.

Magnesite (MgCO3) is an ore for magnesium

production and the source of a range of industrial

minerals. When pure, magnesite contains 47.8%

magnesium oxide and 52.2% carbon dioxide. Natural

magnesite almost always contains some calcium

http://geology.com/minerals/sulfur.shtml

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carbonate as the mineral calcite and iron carbonate as the mineral siderite. Magnesium also

occurs in dolomite, which has the formula CaMg(CO3)2 and in which MgCO3 constitutes 45.65%

(equivalent to 21.7% MgO) and CaCO3 54.35%.


Magnesite is found at Wad and Muslim Bagh in Balochistan and Malakand & Hazara in Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa along fractures, joints and faults in ultramafic rocks. The Kumhar magnesite

deposit of Hazara Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been estimated to contain 8.75 million tonnes of

total reserve. The magnesite from this deposit has been found suitable for production of

refractory bricks and fused magnesium phosphate (Hirayama et. al. 1995). The magnesite

resources in Pakistan have been estimated at 12 million tonnes whereas the average annual

production is 9,844 metric tonnes, registering an increase of about 200% over the past few

years.

7.2.2. USES

Magnesite is an important ore of magnesium, and used as insulating material. There are two main

uses for magnesite. The first is as feedstock in the production of dead-burned magnesia and for

refractory brick use in lining furnaces in the steel industry and non-ferrous metal processing units and

cement kilns. The second use is for processing to caustic calcined magnesia which is used principally as a

food supplement in agribusiness and in fertilizers as well for fillers in paints, paper and plastics. Raw

magnesite is used for surface coatings, landscaping, and ceramics and as a fire retardant. The largest

single use for magnesium metal is in aluminium alloying, accounting for about 50% of the total

magnesium metal consumption. The addition of magnesium to aluminium produces high-strength,

corrosion-resistant alloys. About 20% is used in castings and wrought products including machinery,

tools and other consumer products such as mag wheels for cars.

7.3. Rock Salt

Halite commonly known as rock salt is a

type of salt, the mineral form of sodium

chloride (NaCl). Khewra Salt mine is

world’s second largest mine said to have

been discovered by Alexander the

Great's horse. Covering an area of 110

sq. km, 228 meters or 748 feet deep


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(with 11 separate stories), the massive mine has over 40 kilometers of tunnels running some 730

meters, or nearly half a mile into the mountain under which the salt deposits are found. To keep

the huge space from collapsing in on itself, only fifty percent of the salt found is mined; the other

half serves as support columns to hold up the mine. With such a massive area, a large workforce,

and the ease of carving and building with salt bricks, some interesting sights have been built

within the salt mine.


Huge deposits of rock salt are located in the Salt Range in Punjab province and in Kohat district of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Salt mining has been traditionally carried out by the government since annexation

of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the British rule, but recently some private parties have also

started salt mining.

In the late fifties, the mining engineers working in Khewra salt mines had reached a conclusion that

the salt deposits of the area were nearing exhaustion and that the mining operations would be closed

down within a short period. Consequently, GSP was requested to evaluate the salt deposits of Khewra.

Detailed exploration and evaluation of these deposits by GSP proved the existence of inexhaustible

reserves of rock salt in the Salt Range (Asrarullah 1962).

The rock salt resources of Pakistan stand at 800 million tonnes and the reported average annual

production is 2,021,008 metric tonnes, showing an increase of about 30% over the past few years.

About 40% of the total output is consumed by soda ash, caustic soda and leather industries and rest

is marketed for domestic / human consumption. A certain amount of rock salt is also exported to a

number of countries.

7.3.2. USES

Himalayan Pink salt is one of the purest salts available for culinary, therapeutic and cosmetic

uses. This luxurious and delectable salt has beautifully formed crystals which range in color from

off-white to a lustrous pink. Himalayan Pink salt is a pure, hand-mined salt that is derived from

ancient sea salt deposits, and it is believed to be the purest form of salt available.

It should be noted that most of the commercial supply on the market today is coming from the

mountainous region of Pakistan.

Himalayan crystal salt is far superior to traditional iodized salt. Himalayan salt is millions of years old

and pure, untouched by many of the toxins and pollutants that pervade other forms of ocean salt.

Known in the Himalayas as “white gold,” Himalayan Crystal Salt contains the same 84 natural minerals

and elements found in the human body. This form of salt has also been maturing over the past 250 million

years under intense tectonic pressure, creating an environment of zero exposure to toxins and impurities.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/original-himalayan-crystal-salt.html?icn_ghc=hst1_2_051509_bhsxx&ici_ghc=hsnha

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7.4. Soapstone and Talc

Talc is a hydrous magnesium silicate mineral with a chemical composition of Mg3Si4O10 (OH) 2.

Although the composition of talc usually stays close to this generalized formula, some

substitution occurs. It is the softest known mineral and is assigned a hardness of 1 on the Moh’s

Hardness scale. Soapstone is a metamorphic rock that is composed primarily of talc, with

varying amounts of chlorite, micas, amphiboles, carbonates, and other minerals.


Soapstone deposits occur in Parachinar area, Kurram Agency; Jamrud, Khyber Agency; Dargai,

Swat district; Sherwan, Abbottabad district; Muslim Bagh & Wadh-Uthal areas in Balochistan.

The Sherwan deposit is the major producer of soapstone in the country but other deposits of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA/ FANA have also started producing and are expected to

increase the production as the demand rises. Soapstone deposits of Kurram Agency have been

estimated to contain 1.6 million tonnes of reserves (Badshah 1994).

Overall estimation of soapstone has not been worked out but it is believed that huge resources

are available in the country. The reported average annual production is 147,250 metric tonnes,

showing about 337% increase over the past few years.

7.4.2. USES

A form of talc known as "soapstone" is also widely known. This soft rock is easily carved and

has been used to make ornamental and practical objects for thousands of years. It has been used

to make sculptures, bowls, countertops, sinks, hearths, pipe bowls, and many other objects.

Although talcum powder and soapstone are two of the more visible uses of talc, they account for

a very small fraction of talc consumption. Its hidden uses are far more common. Talc's unique

properties make it an important ingredient for making ceramics, paint, paper, roofing materials,

plastics, rubber, insecticides, and many other products. Talc is a very important industrial

mineral. Talc is crushed into powder to form talcum powder, which is the main ingredient in

many cosmetics as well as some baby powders. Ground talc is used as a lubricant in applications

where high temperatures are involved. It is able to survive at temperatures where oil-based

lubricants would be destroyed. Talc powder is used as a carrier for insecticides and fungicides. It

can easily be blown through a nozzle and readily sticks to the leaves and stems of plants. Its

softness reduces wear on application equipment.

http://geology.com/minerals/what-is-a-mineral.shtml

http://geology.com/minerals/mohs-hardness-scale.shtml

http://geology.com/minerals/mohs-hardness-scale.shtml

http://geology.com/rocks/metamorphic-rocks.shtml

http://geology.com/minerals/talc.shtml

http://geology.com/minerals/chlorite.shtml

http://geology.com/minerals/

http://geology.com/rocks/soapstone.shtml

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8. BUILDING AND DECORATIVE STONES

Pakistan is blessed with a variety of exquisite building and decorative stones throughout the

country. The most commonly used and mined in large quantities are marble, onyx marble,

various types of limestone and igneous rocks, mainly granite, diorite and gabbro.

Large reserves of re-crystallized limestone and marble occur widely in the Gilgit and Skardu

region, in Chitral, Khyber Agency, Swat and Mardan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bajaur

and Khyber Agencies of FATA, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Asrarullah and Hussain 1985).

Onyx marble of high quality is found in Chagai District of Balochistan Province (Ahmed, 1965).

Other forms of building stones like slate, sandstone, boulders and gravels etc are abundantly

available throughout the country. Attractive and good quality granitic, dioritic and gabbroic

rocks occur in Gilgit, Chitral, Swat, Raskoh, Chagai, Lasbela and Nagarparkar areas.

Baluchistan is giving 3.3 million tonnes annual production of marble, granite and onyx from

different localities including Chagai, Bela, Kalat and Khuzdar.

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9. OVERALL MINERAL UNDER EXPLORATION AND

EXPLOITATION

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10. MINERAL STATISTICS (GSP PUBLICATION 2011)

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All the above mentioned data is based on the publication of Geological Survey of Pakistan “An overview

of Mineral Potential of Pakistan” Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources. It mostly gives the

statistics of 2010-2011.

11. MINERAL PRODUCTION DATA OF 2014- 2015.

PAKISTAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS (GOVT. OF

PAKISTAN)

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12. SUMMARY

Pakistan has more than 5,000 operational mines employing nearly 300,000 workers. Many

mineral resources have been identified but only few are properly mined in commercial quantity.

All important metallogenic zones are located in Balochistan. Most important metallogenic belt

extends from Yugoslavia - Turkey - Iran - to Pakistan. It contains world class deposits of copper,

Gold and Silver. Sandak & Rekodiq porphyry copper gold deposits are part of this belt.

Iron ore and exploitable deposits of Sulphur are present in the same belt. Presently MCC of

China is producing 15,000 tonnes of copper, more than 1.5 tonnes of gold and more than 2.8

tonnes of silver per annum from Sandak copper/ gold deposits. Reko Diq gold- copper reserves

are more than 5 Billion tonnes with 0.64% Copper and Gold. 0.4 but mining could not properly

start due to litigation. Occurrence of platinum group elements in the area has also been reported.

Some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, FATA, FANA and Azad Jammu &

Kashmir have immense potential of precious and semi-precious stones. International

organizations like WB, TFBSO, USAID, UNDP and a few such others has come forward for

extending technical and financial assistance to Pakistan in accordance with their mottos and

slogans for the development of such viable business opportunities in the country.

According to Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayettee, IN, Unites States, Chillas complex

of layered mafic-ultramafic rocks is potentially a major storehouse of mineral wealth and a most

promising host to Platinum, Nickel, Copper, Chromium and Vanadium ore deposits. A very rare,

Rare Earth Element and highly radioactive thorium bearing mineral Chevkinite has also been

reported from Tangir Valley located within this rock Complex. The physical appearance and the

textural morphology of this mineral from this specific area suggest a basic pegmatitic nature of

the mineralization. However, detailed geological studies are urgently required as the mineral is

being mined out by the locals and on the pretext of gemstones and smuggled out from Pakistan at

very high price thereby directly supplementing the financial resources of the deep rooted people.

Punjab is rich in ceramic, fertilizer and industrial minerals including clays, sands, gypsum,

anhydrite, limestone, dolomite, rock salt, bauxite and laterite. Some coal fields of economic

importance are present in salt ranges. Many mills, killn and textile, ceramic and cement

industries are located in Punjab. Iron ore deposits are located in Kalabagh (Chichali), D. G. Khan

(Rakhi Munh), Sargodha and Chiniot area.

Sindh has world’s 5th largest reserves of coal in Thar which can serve for many decades. Only Thar

Lignite Coal reserves, spread over 9,600 square-kilometres possess the power generation

potential of 100,000 MW consuming 536 million tonnes coal a year. 15864 million tonnes of

grey and pink granite and adamellite deposits are present in Nagarparkar area of Tharparkar near

the Runn of Kutch.

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Comparison of Pakistan with some mineral rich countries:

The reason for non development of mineral sector in Pakistan is the huge gap between geological

exploration and mineral development and utilization. To fill this gap geological, mining,

metallurgical, mineral economics, mineral/ore processing and dressing advancement is needed.

Investment in mineral sector, increase in institutional capacity and strategic actions related to

cluster development are the need of the hour.

Documents

A Compilation Report on the Mineral Ores of Pakistan