KARACHI, Nov 7: Sindh Minister for Mines and Minerals Manzoor Hussain Wasan has said that around 150,000 acres of land has been leased to 1,200 people for the development of the mining sector.

Speaking to the media after a meeting of mines and minerals department officials at his office on Wednesday, he said besides huge coal reserves, solid evidence of gold, copper and iron deposits in the province had also been found.

He directed the officials concerned to prepare proposals to attract local and foreign investors for the mining sector in Sindh.

“We intend to utilise the natural resources for economic development, bringing prosperity and creation of more employment opportunities,” he said.

Mr Wasan directed the officials concerned to review and correct the ownership of lease of land. He also asked them to prepare a strategy to achieve future targets.

In reply to a question, he said the Sindh department of mines and minerals received over Rs450 million annually in terms of royalty.

Earlier, the minister was briefed by Mines and Minerals Secretary Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Director-General Abdul Shakoor and Mines Chief Inspector Khalid Mirza.—APP