In the year 2000 Shahzad
International created a "Mineral Wing" at its Head Office in
Islamabad as a technical unit to launch a scientifically
organized program of research, prospecting, mining,
processing and marketing of minerals and mineral products of
Pakistan. In 2004 and 2005 the Mineral Wing obtained
exploration licenses (EL) on gemstones and gold prospects in
Northern Area (see map). In 2005 the Mineral Wing
commissioned a Consultant to conduct a field study of one of
the gold prospects. In February 2006 in-house technical
capabilities were strengthened by hiring one of the senior
most Mining Geologists of Pakistan who has already carried
out field studies on the gemstone prospects during summer
2006 and 2007. As the next step in its steady march to
progress, Shahzad International is now proud to welcome the
newest member of the group, a Mining Company - GMC - as the
latest member of the Group, established to fast track entry
into the mineral industry.
Mineral Properties
Shahzad International / GMC decided to
initially launch its mineral development activities in
the Northern Area of Pakistan which is considered rich
in precious stones and metallic and non-metallic
minerals. A local office was set up at Altit - Hunza,
Gilgit District to commence exploratory activities,
initially for ruby. The company obtained Exploration
Licences for various minerals and currently holds
exclusive rights to explore five mineral prospects in
the Northern Area. The locations of these five
exploration licenses (EL's), granted by the Government
of Northern Area, are shown in the following map
Gemstones
The Northern Area of Pakistan is blessed
with probably one of the largest gemstone resource of
the world. Shahzad International has been granted the
following Exploration Licenses for gemstones:
S.No. |
Gemstone |
Area Acres |
Locality |
Date license granted |
1 |
Aquamarine |
318 |
Dasso, Shigar valley, Skardu District |
8 June 2005 |
2 |
Ruby |
1200 |
Ahmadabad, Hunza, Gilgit District |
8 June 2005 |
Aquamarine
Gem bearing pegmatites of Shigar
Valley, Skardu District are world famous for their
quality of aquamarine and topaz crystals. Shahzad
International's licence area lies in prime aquamarine
showings near Dassu Village. Pursuant to successful
field studies in the summers of 2006 and 2007, GMC is
seeking cooperation of local population of the area
before commencement of the project.
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| Aquamarine EL area at Dasso. GMC's camp and Dasso police post are seen in the foreground. |
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Ruby
Shahzad International's
EL area for Ruby is situated at Ahmadabad, Hunza Valley Gem bearing
marble horizon which extends from Hunza to Ishkoman,
over a 150 km belt in Northern Area. During the field
study in summer 2006, the presence of Ruby was confirmed
in the EL area. In addition to Ruby, Shahzad
International staff recognized the potential of flake
graphite in close association with Ruby bearing marble
band. Further work by our field team has resulted in the
discovery of high density white marble in our EL area.
Trial mining of ruby has commenced since 2007. |
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GMC's Project team at work at Ahmadabad filed camp
Gem Cutting and Polishing
GMC has purchased cutting / polishing
machinery / equipment and installed at Hunza mining
site. The workshop is now operational.
METALLIC MINERALS
Gold and Copper
| Recovery
of alluvial gold from stream sediments, by local gold
washers, is on-going since time immemorial in the
Northern Area of Pakistan. After 12 years of Government
sponsored regional geochemical exploration for gold,
Shahzad International became the first private sector
business to be granted two permits in 2002 to find
mineable concentration of gold in Hushe and Ranthak
Blocks of Ganche District. In addition a reconnaissance
license (RL) was obtained for exploration of a copper
gold geochemical anomaly at Shagari Bala near Skardu.
The three properties are listed below: |
 |
S.No. |
Mineral |
Area Acres |
Locality |
Date license granted |
1 |
Gold |
3538 |
Ranthak, Ganche District |
27 August 2004 |
2 |
Gold |
1000 |
Hushe, Ganche District |
27 August 2004 |
3 |
Copper-gold |
17374 |
Shagari Bala, Skardu District |
8 January 2007 |
|
A field study on Hushe block was
outsourced to a Consultant who reported concentrations
of upto 1.5 g/tonne of gold in bed rock samples. After a
study of the regional geochemical exploration data, an increased area of over 21,000 acres has been applied for
gold exploration in Hushe block.
In addition, following a study of the past exploration
records, a three fold increase in EL area at Ranthak was
obtained. GMC is poised to conduct, in summer 2010,
detailed mapping and systematic sampling to delineate
potentially mineable gold concentrations in Ranthak
area. In Shagari Bala, Skardu our field team completed
the reconnaissance exploration of the 17,000 acre RL
area in summer 2007 and geophysical survey in early
2008.
Source rocks for copper and gold anomalies were located
and delineated as part of a first ever detailed
geological map of the area (See Map) and magnetic &
self-potential surveys. A 1600 acre drilling target has
been identified and EL applied for. Presently, process
has been initiated for award of contract for
construction of an approach road to be followed by
exploratory drilling
|
Men at work in search of Copper-gold at
Shagari Bala |
|
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NON-METALLIC MINERALS
White Marble
While conducting exploratory studies for
Ruby at Ahmadabad, GMC found sizeable deposits of good
quality white marble in their concession. Therefore, an
Exploration Licence was obtained by GMC for Marble and
the company is now in the process of planning and
development of a marble mine.
White marble in village of Ahmadabad.
Graphite
Additional exploration rights for
graphite have also been obtained by GMC for Ahmadabad
area. Presently, beneficiation tests on graphite are
being conducted at University of Engineering &
Technology, Lahore under the supervision of a newly
appointed Mining Engineer.
NEW PROJECTS
Sonda Indus East Integrated Coal Mining and Power Generation
Project
Geological work by Geological Survey of Pakistan and technical
study by a Chinese company have indicated adequate
coal reserves on the eastern side of river Indus in
the vicinity of Mullakatiar, District Tando Mohammad
Khan. The coal field is located at a distance of about
30 km south of Hyderabad. The coal is sufficient in
quantity and suitable to set up a 50 to100 MW coal
based power plant. An MoU was signed between Shahzad International
and the Government of Sindh in August, 2009.
Exploration License over an area of 17,297 acres,
for an integrated coal mining and power generation
project, was granted by the Government of Sindh in December,
2009. The license area has been demarcated by a competent and certified
surveyor. A Private Consultant was hired who prepared professional documents;
Expression of Interest, Scope of Work, Terms of Reference and the Draft
Agreement for conducting Feasibility Study of integrated coal mining and
power plant project, based on Sonda coal. Technical and Financial proposals
for hiring an International Consultant Company were invited from 5 pre-qualified
companies. Proposals were received from a German company and two Chinese companies.
An internal Evaluation Committee, constituted by the Chairman, has evaluated the
proposals received from these companies. The committee has finalized recommendations
for approval of the Chairman, for award of contract to the most competent and competitive company.
Exploration of Minerals in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K)
Initial negotiations were held with AKMIDC for
entering into a Joint Venture (JV) with them for exploration and
development of bauxite / fire clay, pozzolana, coal and gold in AJ&K,
under private-public partnership. A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been jointly
drafted by AKMIDC & GMC which will be considered for approval by the AKMIDC's Board
of Directors in August 2010. Applications for Exploration Licence of the potential
minerals will be submitted by the JV Company which will be incorporated in September 2010.
Projects in Punjab and NWFP
GMC is making efforts to acquire new coal areas for prospecting and operating
coal mines/mining leases and industrial rocks located in Punjab for their fast track development.
- Two new areas have been identified in the Salt Range to apply for Prospecting Licence.
- Negotiations are in process with a mine owner for purchase of Surakki coal mine in Khushab District.
- Negotiations are in process with a mine owner for purchase of an operating Dimension Stone mine in Mansehra District.
As a result of these efforts, economics of two projects namely Surakki Coal Mine in District Khushab and Darband Granite Mine in District Mansehra have been found very prospective.
MINERAL BUSINESS FINANCING AND CONSULTANCY
Shahzad International's vision is focused on exploration and
development of energy and mineral resources of the country and on exploring systematic
and efficient ways for optimizing these via technological innovations. Shahzad
International/GMC believes that minerals are a solid base for economic progress of the
country but require the resources of specialized knowledge and adequate financing for
sustainable development. GMC has these resources. At the same time GMC is always open to
offers from prospectors and other mining entrepreneurs for business cooperation. Technical
guidance and "Qualified Person" services are also available with GMC on consultancy basis.
PROFESSIONAL TEAM OF
GMC
- Dr. Fuzail Siddiqui, Geologist Expert having extensive
experience in research and development of metallic minerals.
- Mr. Mohammad Ali Mirza, Geophysicist Expert, former
Director General, GSP.
- Engr. Noor Mohammad Khan, Mining Expert, former MD,
Lakhra Coal Development Company.
- Mr. Khadim Hussain, Senior Geologist, having wide
experience in mapping mineral rich localities of Northeren
Area of Pakistan.
- Mr. Farrukh Taimur, Mining Engineer.
OFFICES OF GMC
- Corporate Head Office of Shahzad International / GMC
is located at
20, Main Margalla Road, P.O. Box 1440, Sector F-8/3,
Islamabad.
- Field Office of GMC is located at
Altit - Hunza, Gilgit District
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