Perspective
 Pakistan is endowed with large mineral resources having very good prospects for their scientific and fast track development to generate commercially viable products. There are exploitable reserves of coal barite, chromite, dolomite, gypsum, rock salt, limestone, marble, magnesite, copper, gold and precious stones. These resources could not be fully exploited so far due to lack of investment, non-availability of advanced technology, inadequate geo-scientific data, lack of infrastructure in remote mineral bearing areas and the harsh environments.
Regional and semi-detailed geo-scientific surveys conducted in different parts of the country have given strong indication of high potential for metallic minerals; copper, gold, silver, platinum, chromite, iron, lead and zinc, industrial minerals; granite, marble, gemstones; ruby, aquamarine, topaz and fuel mineral / coal.
Investment Opportunities In The Mineral Sector
Based on the review of available geo-scientific data on mineral deposits of the country and appraisal of their potential for quick return, the minerals which offer good prospects for development are; copper-gold deposits of Chagai District, Balochistan; lead-zinc deposits of Gunga-Duddar, Balochistan; rock salt of Khewra, Warcha and Jansukh, Punjab; iron ore of Dilband, Mastung District, Balochistan; chromite in Balochistan and NWFP; vermiculite of Chagai District, Balochistan, marble deposits of Balochistan & Northern areas; granite of Chagai District, Balochistan; gold of Northern Area of Pakistan; and gemstones; (aquamarine, emerald, ruby, topaz) of NWFP and Northern Area of Pakistan.
Systematic exploration, scientific mining and aggressive marketing of some of the potential minerals are considered to be challenging but at the same time highly rewarding.
Establishment Of Mineral Wing
In the backdrop of above scenario, Shahzad International established a Mineral Wing in the year 2000 as a technical unit of one of its commercial entities to launch a scientifically organized program for prospecting, mining and marketing some of the potential mineral deposits. The Mineral Wing comprises the following:
- Data Compilation and Consultancy Unit
- Unit for Marketing of Commercial Minerals
- Mineral Exploitation and Development Unit
The current status of minerals for which prospecting licences have been acquired by Shahzad International are briefly described below:
Aquamarine
Aquamarine of good quality is located in Dasso-Shighar area of Skardu. The raw aquamarine can be cut and polished at Skardu or Islamabad and sold in the international market.
Shahzad International has acquired mining lease of aquamarine over 318 acres of land in Dasso- Shigar. The aquamarine showings are being prospected to locate enrichment zones for systematic exploration and mining.
Ruby
Occurrences of good quality ruby are found near Ahmadabad-Hunza, Gilgit. The raw ruby can be cut and polished at Gilgit or Islamabad and then sold in the international market.
Shahzad International has acquired mining lease of ruby over 1200 acres of land in Ahmadabad-Hunza area. These showings are also being prospected to locate enrichment zones for further exploration and mining.
Gold
Shahzad International has utilized services of senior earth- scientists in carrying out the study of 4000 gold samples collected under PMDC-AusAid exploration programme (1992-2001). The synthesis of results was carried out with the help of several statistical techniques. The objective was to identify prospective blocks with indicative detection limits of 1- 5 ppm gold and 5-10 ppm silver. Spatial distribution of these elements, especially the anomalous values were plotted using GIS system.
Based on the interpretation of geo-scientific data of Northern Areas, Shahzad International, delineated two gold prospects; Ranthak Block and Hushe Block in Skardu. These blocks are considered to have good prospects for the search of gold and base metals. Shahzad International has been granted prospecting licences of these blocks.
The award of prospecting license for gold to Shahzad International is the first ever concession granted to any private party in the country. The prospecting plan of the sites for gold is being finalized. A consultant was hired who had undertaken geotechnical study of Hushe Block and collected 20 samples which were analyzed in Mineral Testing Laboratories at Peshawar and Islamabad. The gold values of samples analyzed ranged from 0.38 ppm to 1.5 ppm. The Ranthak Block which is considered to be more prospective is currently being investigated.
Solid Fuel
The deposits of coal in Lakhra-Sindh are estimated at 1.3 billion tons. The coal has been tested intensively for washing and found suitable for power generation. On confirming suitability of the coal and conducting study of its marketability, Shahzad International developed a proposal to set up a coal washing plant at Lakhra. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Government of Sindh in this regard on 27th November, 2002. The provincial government will facilitate Shahzad International in the establishment of this plant.
The coal washing plant will be the first unit of its kind to be established in the country in the private sector. The plant, estimated to cost US$ 5 million will have annual capacity of processing about one million ton of coal for use mainly by the cement factories whose annual demand exceeds 3 million tons.
Lakhra coal washing plant is proposed to be a service unit. The source of supply for the run of mine coal would be PMDC, LCDC and private mine owners. Shahzad International will also have its own concession in Lakhra coalfield for development and use by its coal washing plant.
The Chinese who are operating more than 450 coal washing plants in their country, have been approached to advise us on the design and capacity of a plant that would be most suitable and economical. Services of local experts were hired who have conducted prospectivity study of Lakhra coal, washability tests of coal from selective mines and estimation of available mineable reserves of coal. COVEC, an experienced Chinese company has signed an agreement with Shahzad International for technical collaboration on mutually agreed terms and conditions for conduct of feasibility study and construction of the plant.
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