ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: The government has planned to spend Rs5.8 billion to strengthen the mineral sector of the country during the next five years. “The major expenditures would be on accelerating exploration, drilling and building the institutional and human capacity of the mining directorates in the country,” officials said here on Thursday.

The sources said that an investment of Rs1650 million was planned for building key infrastructure in the mineral producing areas of the country. The total outlay of Rs5.8bn is planned to be invested in the public sector during the period, including Rs1,500m for the federal and Rs4,300m for provinces and special areas.—APP