Minerals in Pakistan

MINERALS

A solid, naturally occurring inorganic substance

A naturally occurring, stable at room temperature,

definite chemical formula, abiogenic, ordered atomic

arrangement

Different from rock, which an aggregate of minerals or

non-minerals, indefinite composition

MINERAL IN PAKISTAN

Extensive Reservoirs

Mostly unexploited

Area of 600,000 sq. km has potential for metallic

and non-metallic minerals

Inputs for industry as Iron, Zinc, Copper, Gold,

Silver, Platinum, Lead, Chromite, etc.

Vast potential of multi-colored granite, marble

and other stones

CONTINUE…. Contribute 0.5% GDP only

52 main minerals under exploitation though on small

scale

Major production is coal, rock salt and other

industrial & construction minerals

Value addition in the mineral sector is focused on

Limestone, Coal, Gypsum, Sulphur, Crude Oil, and

Natural Gas

CONTINUE…. Mining industry dominated by;

Punjmin (8 minerals)

Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (11)

FATA Development Corporation (10)

Balochistan Development Authority (Flourite)

KP Development Authority (4)

AK Mineral & Industrial Development Corp. (12)

Pakistan Steel (Limestone)

PROBLEMS

Weak Mineral Departments

Mining vs Environment

Understaffing of regional directorates

Lack of technical know-how

Lack of interest of foreign investors

Lack of interest of environmentalists

Capital for Exploration

NEEDS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Foreign Investment

Private Sector Investment

Modern Management

Large Capital

Technical Knowledge

MAIN METALLIC MINERALS OF

PAKISTAN

Aluminum

Iron Ore

Copper

Chromite Ore

Zinc/ Lead

Calcium

Magnesium

• Antimony

• Arsenic

• Gold

• Graphite

• Glass Sand

• Tungsten

MAIN NON-METALLIC MINERALS OF

PAKISTAN

Coal

Phosphates

Rock Salt

Asbestos

Limestone

Kaolin

Brine

Marble

• Potash

• Silica Sand

• Sulphur

• Natural Gas

• Oil

• Mica

• Radioactive Minerals

MINERALS IN PUNJAB

Iron Ore: Large deposits in Kalabagh & Mianwali

district

Coal: Salt Range & Markawal (235 million tons)

Gypsum: 2nd largest: Daud Khel (Mianwali) has

53 million tons, Rakhi-Munh, Khewra and Safed-

Koh-Rodo area and in Suleman Ranges near D.G.

Khan

Salt: Salt Range 160 km, b/w Jhelum & Indus

Khewra, Warcha, Kalabagh, Bhadurkhel, Jatta, & Karak

by PMDC and Chakwal and Khushab by Punj MDC

600 million tons as estimated by PMDC

MINERALS IN PUNJAB

Lime Stone: Range Pothar, Margalla Hills, Zinda Pir

Aluminum: Khushab District, Low grade quality

Calestine: 83% strontium Sulfate,

used in signal rockets, tracer bullets, warning fuse and fireworks

Strontium in ceramics, paints, plastic, etc.

Daud Khel Western Salt Range

• Natural Gas: Uch and Adhi (R.Pindi)

18 Mcf/day of gas, 62 tons/ day LPG and 300 Barrels/ day NGL

MINERALS IN SINDH

Coal: 184 million/ 185 billion total in Pak

One of the biggest good quality lignite deposits

Salt: Coastal Area of Karachi, High purity salt

Limestone: Ganjo Takkar, Murli Hills, Mango Pir, Cape

Monze, Kot Diji, and Ranipir.

Alum: Kirthar Nits

Carbonate Soda: Nara Taluka (Khairpur), Nawabshah,

Umerkot, Shah Bandar, etc.

MINERALS IN SINDH

China Clay: Nagar Parkar, Tharparkar

Contain 16-31% clay, also known as Kaoline

Natural Oil: Khashkheli, Laghari, Tando Alam (Lower

Sindh)

Natural Gas: Khairpur, Kandkot, Mari, Golachi and

Khaskheli

MINERALS IN KP

Chromite: Dargai (0.7Mt), Heroshah (0.1) Jijal-pattan

and Chilas (0.2)

Pakistan is Major Exporter of Chromite

Coal: Kandkot, Marri (small but good quality)

Bauxite: Hazara District, Hangu, Cherat

Gypsum: DI Khan, Kohat (4442Mt)

Largest Resources in KP

Phosphate: Abbotabad, Hazara

MINERALS IN KP

Magnesite: Kumhar (Abbotabad) – 11 Mt

Limestone: Quality extensive deposits in KP and NA

Annual Production 8700 matric tons

China Clay: Shah Dheri (Swat)

Annual Production 61, 400 matric tons

Marble: 158/ 162 million tons in KP

Gem Stone: Emerald, Ruby, Topaz, Peridot

MINERALS IN BALOCHISTAN

Aluminum: Large Deposits,

Kalat, Ziarat, Loralai

Iron Ore: 930 million tons

Copper: Saindak and Reko-diq

Chromite: Muslim Bagh, Noshki, Ras-Koh

Zinc: Lasbela-Khuzdar belt (world class)

Coal: Hamai, Duki, Pir Ismail, (217 million t)

Natural Gas: Pirkok, Sui, Mazarani, (31 Tcf)

MINERALS IN BALOCHISTAN

Gypsum: 2000 million tons

Marble: (2 million tons) High Quality

Gems:

Chagi: Garnet, Azurite, Malachite, Lapis

Panjgur: Quartz

Killa Abdullah: Aragonite

Khuzdar: Aragonite