LAHORE, March 19: The Punjab Industries and Mineral Development Department was renamed as Industries, Mines and Mineral Development Department (IMMDD) here on Tuesday.
The decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool while presiding over a meeting on the affairs of the Mineral Investment Facilitation Authority (MIFA) here at the Civil Secretariat.
He also decided to establish a Directorate-General of Mines and Minerals under the renamed department, to rename the Directorate of Industries and Mineral Development Department as the Directorate of Industries Department, and to detach the chief inspector of mines from the Labour and Manpower Department and be made a part of the IMMDD.
Another decision was to redesignate the posts of additional director mineral development and joint director mineral department as directors.
The governor directed the authorities concerned to hold detailed discussions with the stakeholders before the final approval of the Punjab Mine Concession Rules, 2002.
The governor was informed that the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) was operating the Khushab Project, the Dandot Coal Project, the Golewali Salt Project, the Mianwali Project, the Attock Project and the Jutana Warala Salt Project.
The PMDC intended to explore and evaluate new iron ore deposits near Rajoa (Chiniot), metallic minerals in Kirana Hills (Sargodha and Chiniot), and rock salt in the Marmandi and Matten Khurd areas in the salt range.
It was stated that steps had been taken to enhance annual production of salt at Jutana (Chakwal) to 300,000 tonne and expand the existing gypsum quarries at Khariabad (Mianwali) from 50,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonne production capacity besides increasing the production of coal up to 75,000 tonnes by employing new technology at Padhrar and Dandot.
Various proposals and suggestions were put forth during the meeting regarding reorganziation of the MIFA.
Earlier, the governor said it was essential to involve field professionals and experts to get maximum financial benefit from the mining activity. Those from the private sector should especially be involved on a larger scale through an investor-friendly and conducive environment. The governor said in order to increase fiscal output in the province, the pace of the exploration and development of mineral resources should be accelerated in a scientific and planned manner and through the active participation of private sector.
He said a lot of investment potential existed in the field of mines exploration provided the required infrastructure and ancillary facilities were improved.
The governor asked the district governments to seek participation of the private sector with assurances that a substantial amount of income earned would be spent on the improvement of the infrastructure of their mineral area concerned.
He directed the industrial department authorities to shift their focus from the traditional regulatory functions of the provincial government to that of a facilitator, and expand the mining sector by concentrating on discovery of minerals.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Tariq Hameed, Muhammad Tariq, Chief Secretary Imtiaz Masrur, district Nazmeen of some mining areas in the province and other senior officials.