LAHORE: The authorities have selected another 15 sites for finding out iron ore or other metals like copper in north of Chiniot-Rajoa, where the reserves of iron ore may increase from the so far believed 150 million ton as a result of an ongoing inclined drilling.

According to official sources on Sunday, the provincial government had while working on the Chiniot-Rajoa iron ore reserves conducted necessary scientific surveys of adjoining areas spread over 18,000sq kms, finding another 32 potential sites. The data of these 32 sites was scrutinised at different fora, selecting 15 of them for further probe as a result.

Officials said the sites were located from Chiniot to Sargodha where metallurgical tests had already been conducted. Its business feasibility too had been prepared. Magnetic surveys, geo-chemical analysis and reconnaissance drilling were in the offing.

Referring to the Chiniot-Rajoa reserves, officials said work on the second phase of the project had been started. Two top foreign consulting firms, one German and another Turkish, were conducting inclined drilling which would reveal the horizontal width of the reserves. In the first instance, a vertical measurement of the asset was conducted.

The ongoing drilling would help know the exact measurement of the reserve which at present is estimated at 150 million ton by Canadian Standard. As per Chinese Standard it is 190 million ton.

They said Chiniot-Rajoa reserves have hematite and magnetite types of iron ore, which is considered the best in the world.

Officials said this project was being solely conducted by the Punjab government. But it intended to invite international investors for handling the reserves, if found, of the 15 new potential sites located from Chiniot to Sargodha, Kalabagh and Shaheenabad. “We expect a huge presence of iron ore, copper and other metals,” a senior official said.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2018