In the year 2000 Shahzad International created a “Mineral Wing” at its Head Office as a technical unit to launch a scientifically organized program of research, prospecting, mining, processing and marketing 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 currently holds exclusive rights to explore five mineral prospects. The locations of these five exploration licenses (EL’s), granted by the Government of Pakistan, are shown in the following map:
Gemstones
The Northern Area of Pakistan is blessed with probably the largest and the highest gemstone province of the world. Shahzad International has been granted the following exploration licenses on 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 license lies in prime aquamarine area near Dasso Village
Following successful field studies in summer 2006 and 2007, GMC is compiling a pre-feasibility report and gearing up to commence production in summer 2008.
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| Aquamarine EL area at Dasso. Our camp and Dasso police post are seen in the foreground. |
Ruby
Gem bearing marble horizon is known to extend from Hunza to Ishkoman, over a 150 km belt in Northern Area
Shahzad International’s EL area is situated at Ahmadabad, Hunza Valley.
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 disseminations 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 commenced in summer 2007.
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| White marble in village of Ahmadabad. |
Additional rights to graphite exploration have been obtained and a pre-feasibility study on combined Ruby and Graphite mining was compiled over the 2007 winter months. GMC is poised to commence integrated mining/beneficiation of ruby, graphite and white marble in summer 2008.
Gold
 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, NA. 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 regional geochemical exploration data an increased area of over 21000 acres has been applied for gold exploration in Hushe area in summer 2008.
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 2008, 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 17000 acre RL area in summer 2007
Source rocks for copper and gold anomalies were located and delineated as part of a first ever detailed geological map of the area. A 1600 acre drilling target has been successfully identified and EL applied for.
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| Exploration Drilling in search of Copper-gold Shagari Bali |
Solid Fuels
Pakistan is blessed with source of the most extensive coal fields of the World, mostly located in the Sindh Province. Shahzad International’s interest in coal is both in mining and power generation. Literature research and broad consultations to select the most prospective areas of coal has been completed. We look forward to making rapid progress in coal exploration in 2008.
The company is also actively pursuing grant of exploration license of a prospective coal area in Lakhra coal field where pre-feasibility of coal washing has already been completed by the company.
Mineral Business Financing And Consultancy
Shahzad International/GMC believes that minerals are a solid base for economic progress but require the resources of specialized knowledge and patient financing for sustainable development. GMC has these resources. At the same time we are always open to offers from prospectors and other mining businesses for business cooperation. Technical guidance and “Qualified Person” services are also available on consultancy basis. If you wish to discuss your mineral business needs please contact us.
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