- Mining in Pakistan
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Mining is an important industry in Pakistan. Pakistan has deposits of several minerals including coal, copper, gold, chromite, mineral salt, bauxite and several other mierals. There are also a variety of precious and semi-precious minerals that are also mined. These include peridot, aquamarine, topaz, ruby, emerald, rare-earth minerals bastnaesite and xenotime, sphene, tourmaline, and many varieties and types of quartz.[1]
The Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation is the responsible authority for the support and development of the mining industry. Gemstones Corporation of Pakistan looks after the interests of stake holders in gem stone mining and polishing as an official entity. Baluchistan is the richest province in terms of mineral resources available in Pakistan. While recently Sindh discovered coal dposits in Thar. Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa is rich in terms of gems. Most of the mineral gems found in Pakistan exists here. Apart from oil, gas and some mineral used in nuclear energy purposes which comes directly under federal control mining of other minerals is provincial issue. Currently around 52 minerals, are mined and processed in Pakistan. [2]
Contents
Coal
Coal which is also named as black gold is found into huge quantities in Thar, Chamalang, Quetta and other sites. Thar reserves are estimated 850 Trillion Cubic Feet. There is enough coal in Pakistan Thar area ( though a part of coal is not of good quality) that it can be used for power generation for next 100 years without relaying on other i.e. hydro / oil resources.
In March 2010, Engro Chemical announced that the group is investing huge amount of money to develop coal fields in Pakistan, however exact sum is unknown. The chemical company also announced to establish energy park in UET Lahore, and start research on In-Situ coal gasification and high pressure transport gasifier.[3]Mineral Salt
Rock salt makes for some beautiful texture on the walls and the ceiling
Salt is being minned in the region since 320 BC. Khewra Salt Mines are among world oldest and biggest salt mines. Salt has been mined at Khewra since 320 BC, in an underground area of about 110 square kilometres (42 sq mi). Khewra salt mine has estimated total of 220 million tonnes of rock salt deposits. The current production from the mine is 325,000 tons salt per annum.
Copper & Gold
In Reqo Diq, Baluchistan deposits of copper and gold are present. Antofagasta the company having possession of Reqo Diq field is targeting initial production of 170,000 metric tons of copper and 300,000 ounces of gold a year.The project may produce more than 350,000 tons a year of copper and 900,000 ounces of gold.[4]. There are also presence of copper deposites in Daht -e- Kuhn , Nokundi , Located in Chaghi district.
Iron Ore
Iron ore found in various regions of Pakistan including Nokundi, Chinot and the largest one in Kalabagh(Less than 42% quality),Harripur and other Northern Areas. [5]
Gems and other precious stones
A number of precious stones are minned and polished for local as well as export purposes. The centre point of this operation is Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa. These includes Actinolite, Hessonite, Rodingite, Agate, Idocrase, Rutile, Aquamarine, Jadeite, Ruby, Amazonite, Kunzite, Serpentine, Azurite, Kyanite, Spessartine (garnet), Beryl, Marganite, Spinel, Emerald, Moonstone, Topaz, Epidote, Pargasite, Tourmaline, Garnet (alamandine), Peridot, Turquoise, Garnet (green, grossular), Quartz (citrin & others) and Vesuvianite. The export from these gems is more than 200 Million dollar [6] A documentary on Pakistan's precious stones "Sang AAmad part 1" and "Sang AAmad part 2" by Waqar Ahmed Malik was on aired on Express News.
Accidents in Mining
Mining in Pakistan is a dangerous job, especially coal mining as safety procedures often neglected and accidendts are quiet common.[7][8]
- On 21st of March 2011 atleast 45 miners died due to an explosion in a coal mine in Surran range, some 35 km (22 mi) east of the provincial capital, Quetta.[9]
- On 14 of Febeuaray 2011, 2 Chinese engineers die in a chromite mine collapse in Qila Saifullah, Pakistan [10]
- On 27th of May 2004, 15 miners died after a gas explosion at a coal mine in Baluchistan.[11]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.palagems.com/pakistanoverview.htm
- ^ http://www.mbendi.com/indy/ming/as/pk/p0005.htm
- ^ http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Business/27-Mar-2010/Engro-Chem-to-invest-on-Thar-coal-development
- ^ http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=21072065&refer=conews&tkr=ABX:US&sid=a5Tg_KsLeCxM
- ^ http://www.mbendi.com/indy/ming/iron/as/pk/p0005.htm
- ^ http://www.gsp.gov.pk/resources/gems.html
- ^ "Death In The Mines"
- ^ Pakistani Manifestation Condemns Deadly Mine Accident, Inaction in Retrieving the Dead
- ^ "52 Miners Trapped After a Coal Mine Accident in Pakistan
- ^ 2 Chinese engineers die in Pakistan mine collapse
- ^ "Fifteen die in Pakistan coal mine blast"
External links
- "2009 Minerals Yearbook: Pakistan"
- A special Express News documentary on Precious Stones
- http://www.nazariapak.info/pak-essentials/coal.asp
- http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/29/ebr8.htm
- http://www.nazariapak.info/pak-essentials/natural.asp
- http://www.nazariapak.info/pak-essentials/other-min.asp
- http://www.gems.com.pk/Gemstones_History.asp
Categories:- Mining in Pakistan
- Science and technology in Pakistan
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