THE geological surveys of 85 per cent of the tribal belt have revealed immense prospects of mineral exploration. In fact, there has been manifold increase in mineral production in FATA for the last few years. From fiscal 1995 to 2004 mineral production increased by 35 per cent annually.

In 2004-05, Rs31.5 million of revenues were earned from auction of mineral check-posts. The total increase in mineral production from 1994-95 is monumental 219 per cent. With such meagre investment, the results are quite encouraging. The overall national annual growth rate of mineral sector has been 15 per cent.

So far, 19 different minerals’ deposits have been identified in tribal areas which include; copper, manganese, chromite, iron ore, lead, barite, soapstone, coal, gypsum, limestone, marble, dolomite, feldspar, quartz, silica san, bentonite, marl, emerald and graphite. The total mineral production in the year 2004-05 stood at 12.73 mllion tons.

The largest contribution in this figure was of 5.79 million tons marble. Mohmand Agency has the largest deposits of marble followed by the adjacent Bajaur Agency. The share of limestone mineral production last year was 4.6 million tons. The mineral is extracted entirely in Khyber Agency.

Limestone as well as chromite and quartz, the other two minerals extracted in large quantities, do not have a big market value. However, important mineral like coal has also been taken out in sufficient quantity in FATA. The annual production of coal in 2004-05 was 5.70 million tons which was mainly extracted in Orakzai Agency with some share of neighbouring Kurram Agency.

More coal mines are likely to be found in Orakzai Agency. So far, no copper has been extracted anywhere in the area but its large deposits exist in North and South Waziristan agencies. Only in Shinkai (North Waziristan), an estimated 27.000 million tones of copper reserves exist. The proposed plan of copper enrichment and establishment of a prototype plant have not materialized because of the on-going operation against militants in the area.

Importantly, some pilot studies including the one by a leading Australian University have indicated existence of significant volume of oil and gas reserves in FATA.

With its meagre resources, the government cannot allocate the required funds for mineral exploration and development. And foreign investment is unlikely to come without much better security environment.

The potential of mineral sector could be better exploited if mineral based industries are set-up there. Hitherto locationally disadvantaged areas due to their remoteness, mineral exploration would offset this position of FATA provided there are local industries which use the raw mineral for value-added products and material.

Albeit, without involving the private sector, appropriate technology cannot be made available for exploration and development of minerals. Due to lack of technical know-how tribesmen have been using outmoded methods of mineral extraction. For instance, in many areas crude forms of explosive are used in a non-technical way resulting in loss of large quantities of minerals besides eroding their value.

If the social wisdom of the tribesmen is capitalized upon, dealing with them may not be a problem provided they are accordingly compensated.

The proposed establishment of mines rescue/safety and labour welfare centre is a right step but instead of only one, at least one such centre should be established in every agency.

Last but not the least the media in the area should be used for raising the awareness of tribesmen about minerals and their value.