THE Pakistan-China agreement on the development of lead and zinc in Balochistan has opened avenues for economic exploitation and utilization of abundant mineral resources on modern lines. More than 50 metallic and non-metallic minerals have been discovered in the province. Metallic ores are chromite, copper, iron ore, lead and zinc, while the non-metallic include baryte, marble, gypsum, limestone, coal, dolomite, calcite, silica sand, building and engineering stones. Out of these only few are exported to any domestic and foreign markets.

Mining in the private sector is frequently carried out on a sporadic basis to supply small tonnages only, as and when the opportunity arises. Royalties are payable on any mineral that is mined and hence the lessees of the mines declare only a part of the production to avoid payment. This leads to discrepancies in statistics.

During the recent years, the mineral sector has gone through substantial transformation and efforts made have started producing results.

One of the main attractions of the province is its unexplored geological potential and its geological belt with known world-class mineral deposits. For example, Sarchashmah in neighbouring Iran has reserves of 1.2 billion tons of copper and other mineral ores. The Chagai metallogenic belt, 480 km long and 50 km wide, offers the prospect of similar potential in Balochistan. A wide variety of non-metallic minerals and rocks occur all over Balochistan. Although these are being used in local industries and for other domestic purposes, the consumption is not commensurate with the available resources. Potential exists for large-scale export of certain mineral commodities like marble, magnesite and dimension/building stones (granite, agglomerate etc.) provided export markets could be developed. Enormous resources exist for local consumption in the form of cement raw material and aggregates for use in construction industry.

Minerals deposits usually occur within minerogenic zones (of non-metallic minerals) and metallogenic zones (of metallic minerals). Of nine such zones in Pakistan, five are located in Balochistan. Base metal deposits, such as copper, lead and zinc, are found in Chagai, Khuzdar and Lasbela Districts. Silver and gold in association with Saindak copper ore has recently been re-assessed. Balochistan also hosts several sizeable sub-bituminous coalfields in the Quetta-Harnai-Duki region.

The industrial minerals, such as sulphur, silica sand and magnesite, construction materials, such as limestone, dolomite, sand and gravel deposit are also found in this province. Granite and other metamorphic rocks are abundant in Chagai District. Lead-zinc veins have been reported at several localities, including Ziarat Balanosh. Vermiculite exits in significant quantities about 15 km south of Dalbandin in the Ras Koh Hills. A number of metallic and non-metallic minerals are being mined on a small scale. The only major mine is at Saindak. Mines are generally not mechanized, and manual labour is used for trenching, open-pit mining and quarrying until these operations become too dangerous for further excavation. Coal and chromite mining requires digging and inclines. This method of mining is labour-intensive and comparatively inexpensive for small mines, allowing it to stay in production.

It is estimated that the mining industry currently employs 40,000 people and could generate an additional 30,000 jobs. Majority of labour forces engaged in coal mining comprises of people from outside the province.

Little has changed in the mining sector since the preparation of the Environmental Profile in 1992.At that time, concern was expressed about water and air pollution form coal mining and from Saindak mine. Remedies were proposed including the treatment and management of the coal waste and sulphur dioxide emission, as well as the preparation of EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) of the Saindak mine and other potential mining developments.

The need for a reliable supply of water is a major issue for the Saindak mine, and other ventures in Balochistan. Mines in Chagai, for example, will have to depend on a limited and finite supply of ground water. The Saindak mine draw on water resources form the Taftan-Tahlab basin.

These resources have not been evaluated and are shared with Iran. The production of copper blister requires twice the volume of water for each ton of ore processed. A sustainable supply of water is not assured, and the effects on other users (communities, agriculture and wildlife) are not cleared. The development of major mine and the lack of attention to water management may preclude other mining operations in the basin both in terms of water availability and economics.

It is imperative to adopt a modern mining strategy. Steps should be taken to promote public and private sectors cooperation with teamwork spirit, resolving obstacles faced by the mining sector. Sustainable mining strategy should be focused on modernizing the provincial mineral directorate with update data on each and every mineral with maps for entrepreneurs.