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 |
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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 2009,
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
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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 at Mullakatiar
Tando Mohammad Khan District, 30
km south of Hyderabad. The coal is sufficient and
suitable for setting up a 50 – 100 MW coal based power
plant. An MoU was signed between Shahzad
International and Government of Sindh in August for
Exploration License over an area of 17,297 acres for an
integrated coal mining and power generation project, has
been granted by the Government of Sindh.
Exploration of Minerals in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K)
Negotiations are underway with
AKMIDC for entering into a joint venture with them for
exploration and development of bauxite / fire clay,
pozzolana, coal and gold in AJ&K under private-public
partnership. The exploration license for the minerals
are being processed for formal grant.
Projects in Punjab and NWFP
GMC is acquiring new and
operating coal and other minerals for fast track development
for potential minerals.
Following projects are envisaged :
• Coal Mining Projects by obtaining new leases or
purchase of operating mines in Punjab from interested parties.
• Salt Mines Projects based on salt-based industries.
• Dimention Stone Mining, specially dolomitic, limestone,
granite
Mining Projects with cutting / polishing facilities for
construction work.
• Mining of various clays and silica sand found
economically viable.
MINERAL BUSINESS FINANCING AND CONSULTANCY
Shahzad International’s vision is
focused on exploration and development of energy and
mineral resources of the country and in exploring
efficient ways for optimizing these via technological
innovations. 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 GMC is always open to
offers from prospectors and other mining entrepreneurs
for business cooperation. Technical guidance and
“Qualified Person” services are also available on
consultancy basis.
PROFESSIONAL TEAM OF
GMC
1. Dr. Fuzail Siddiqui, Geologist Expert having extensive
experience in research and development of metallic minerals.
2. Mr. Mohammad Ali Mirza, Geophysicist Expert, former
Director General, GSP.
3. Engr. Noor Mohammad Khan, Mining Expert, former MD,
Lakhra Coal Development Company.
4. Mr. Khadim Hussain, Senior Geologist, having wide
experience in mapping mineral rich localities of Northeren
Area of Pakistan.
5. Mr. Farrukh Taimur, Mining Engineer.
OFFICES OF GMC
1. Corporate Head Office of Shahzad International / GMC
is located at
20, Main Margalla Road, P.O. Box 1440, Sector F-8/3,
Islamabad
2. Field Office of GMC is located at
Altit – Hunza, Gilgit District
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