KARACHI, Aug 5: The Mines and Minerals Department of Sindh has granted a licence to Zaver Mining Company for exploration of gold in Nagarparker area of Tharparkar in a concession area of 997 sq km.

Ghazanfar Abbas, director of the company, told Dawn from Islamabad that the company had obtained the licence after studying geological features of mountains in the concession area which were similar to gold deposits found in Australia, USA and South Africa.

He said that about 200 km away across the border with India gold deposits had been discovered. The geological features give hopes that “we will succeed in discovering silver, gold or copper deposits in the area”.

He said that geological mapping carried out by the Geological Survey of Pakistan indicates good geological conditions in the area, which points to the presence of gold and other minerals.

Answering a query whether the company would engage a foreign partner for exploration of gold, Mr Abbas said that his company had all the expertise to handle the project. However, latest technology could be obtained from abroad to carry out the mega project.

He said that following demarcation of the concession area analysis of surface rock samples through electrical and magnetic surveys would be performed to confirm the presence of metals down in the rocks beds.

After initial work the company would submit a feasibility report to the mines and mineral department which would allow the company to proceed further with its plan.

Sources at the mines and minerals department said that Zaver Mining was the first local company which had been given a gold exploration licence. The company had paid Rs100,000 as licence fee and over Rs79,000 land rent.

They said the beginning of gold exploration in Thar area would attract more investors to apply for licence for exploration of precious minerals.