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Introduction
The department of minerals has been working under a director and a team of
geologists. The department mainly deals with minerals exploration and
development and carries out different activities like geological mapping,
geological investigation, drilling and reserve estimation. Mineral concession is
another function of the department which includes grant of prospecting and
mining licenses, and collection of royalty. Rescue operations and inspection of
mines are also carried out by the department.
Strength
and Opportunities in the Sector
NWFP and
FATA is dominated by mountainous terrains with a great variety of minerals from
marble, granite to other metallic minerals including gold etc. The following
table shows the production of minerals in 2003-04.
Quantity
in Tons
|
Agency |
Lime stone |
Marble |
Coal |
Soap Stone |
Quartz |
Manganese |
Chromate |
Fluorite |
Scrap |
|
Bajaur |
130 |
18973 |
- |
282 |
- |
90 |
|
- |
- |
|
Mohmand |
- |
543749 |
- |
2360 |
29759 |
- |
3377 |
- |
279 |
|
Khyber |
453932 |
7092 |
- |
2370 |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
|
Orakzai |
- |
- |
142725 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kurram |
- |
- |
35505 |
|
- |
- |
- |
90 |
- |
|
N.W.A |
32 |
705 |
140 |
- |
- |
- |
31830 |
- |
- |
|
Total: |
454094 |
570519 |
178370 |
5012 |
29759 |
90 |
35207 |
90 |
279 |
Source:
Mineral concession cell FATA secretariat
Marble and Granite: The
marble and granite sector has significant potential for growth, as huge reserves
of highly valued white marble in Ziarat, Mohmand Agency, gray in Bajaur and
other attractive colours in Mohmand, Khyber, Bajaur, Orakzai, Kurram and
Waziristan have been identified. In FATA, the marble quarrying/mining industry
has provided jobs to an estimated 2000 persons.
Gems: Despite having
tremendous potential for growth, the gemstone sector has not realized its true
worth as an industry specifically in FATA. Some geological findings indicate
availability of precious and semi precious stones. In the north, emerald &
tourmaline have been found whereas garnet and quartz are found in Bajaur and
South Waziristan. However these reserves have not been properly identified
and exploited.
Copper: In North Waziristan
estimated reserve of 35 million tonnes has been discovered with confirmed
reserves of 8 million tonnes having average copper content of 0.8%. Exploitation
of these resources will employ labour force in thousands in addition to export
revenues.
Coal: FATA has
abundance of high quality coal deposits. The coal is already being mined at
various
localities but at a very limited scale by using old and outdated mining
techniques. Huge deposits of coal have been identified in Darra Adam Khel (F.R
Kohat), Orakzai, Kurram and
North Waziristan.
Soapstone: Soapstone is a
metamorphic rock rich in magnesium and iron. FATA has huge deposits of soapstone
that can be used in local industry as well as exported. Currently the soapstone
at Ghandhao is mined and exported to Europe where the demand for it is showing
an increasing trend.
Development Strategy
-
Reform the legal framework
for mining activities in the region, this reform shall encompass regulatory
reforms of leasing, dispute resolution mechanisms and reform of the legal
frameworks
-
Improve the productivity of
mines through adoption of modern methods to improve the quality of the product
and reduce wastage
-
Introduction
of new technologies through joint ventures on public and private partnership.
-
Improve the quality of the
human resource through intensive trainings specially for blasting and use of
modern methods.
-
Involvement of all
stakeholders for sustainable mining activity and minimizing environmental
degradation.
-
Maintain a healthy
workforce through improved safety and provision of emergency evacuation in
case of accidents.
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