The agreement between Pakistan and China concerning the development of lead and zinc in Balochistan has created possibilities for the modernization and profitable utilization of the region’s abundant mineral resources. More than fifty metallic and non-metallic minerals have been identified in the province. Non-metallic ores consist of barite, marble, gypsum, limestone, coal, dolomite, calcite, silica sand, infrastructure and building stones, and zinc, iron ore, lead, and chromite. A limited number of these items are exported to international as well as domestic markets.
In the private sector, mining operations happen irregularly, supplying only minor tonnages when the opportunity presents itself. Royalties are owed on all minerals extracted; therefore, to evade payment, lessees of the mines report a reduced portion of the production. This results in statistical contradictions. In recent years, the mineral industry has undergone significant change, and recent endeavors have begun to yield results.
The province is renowned for its dormant geological potential and its geological swath containing mineral deposits of a global caliber. An illustration of this can be observed in the 1.2 billion tons of copper and other mineral ores reserves located in Sarchashmah, Iran. The Chagai metallogenic belt, which spans 480 kilometers in length and 50 kilometers in width, presents the possibility of analogous prospects in Balochistan. Throughout Balochistan, an extensive assortment of non-metallic minerals and precious stones can be found. While these are utilized for domestic purposes and in local industries, consumption does not correspond to the amount of available resources. Certain mineral commodities, such as marble, magnesite, and dimension/building stones (granite, agglomerate, etc.), have the potential to be shipped abroad on a large scale if export markets could be established. For use in the construction industry, enormous amounts of cement raw materials and aggregates are accessible for local consumption.
Mineral deposits typically appear in metallogenic zones (comprising metallic minerals) and minerogenic zones (which include non-metallic minerals). Five of these nine zones are located in the province of Balochistan, Pakistan. Base metal deposits, including copper, lead, and zinc, have been found in the districts of Chagai, Khuzdar, and Lasbela. The reassessment of silver and gold to Saindak copper ore occurred recently. Some significant sub-bituminous coalfields are situated in the Quetta-Harnai-Duki area of Balochistan.
This province is also replete with construction materials, such as sand, gravel, lithium dolomite, and sulfur, in along with industrial minerals like magnesite, and silica sand. The Chagai District is littered with granite and other types of metamorphic soil. Multiple sites, including Ziarat Balanosh, have shown the presence of lead-zinc veins. Significant amounts of vermiculite disappear in the Ras Koh Hills, approximately 15 kilometers south of Dalbandin. Small-scale mining takes place for a variety of metallic and non-metallic minerals. Saindak is the location of the chronicles. When trenching, open-pit mining and quarrying reach a level of peril where further excavation is unfeasible, manual labor is typically employed rather than mechanization. The mining of coal and chromite necessitates excavating and strain. Small mines can continue producing this method due to its time-consuming nature and relatively low cost.
The mining sector presently employs an estimated 40,000 individuals and can generate an additional 30,000 jobs. The majority of coal mining labor forces are comprised of people from outside the province. Significant progress has been made in the mining industry since the Environmental Profile was last revised in 1992. Concern was expressed at the time regarding air and water pollution caused by coal extraction, including the Saindak mine. The treatment and management of the coal residue and Sulphur dioxide carbon dioxide emissions, as well as to the collection of an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for the Saindak mine and other possible mining developments, have been suggested as remedies.
Ensuring a consistent water supply is an essential issue for the Saindak mine and other commercial enterprises operating in Balochistan. For example, the mines situated in Chagai will be obliged to rely on a restricted and definitive reservoir of groundwater. The Saindak mine uses Taftan-Tahlab basin water resources. These resources are shared with Iran without having been evaluated. For every ton of ore that is processed, a comparable amount of water is needed to produce copper blister. Without clarity regarding the impacts on other users (including communities, agriculture, and wildlife), a sustainable water supply cannot be guaranteed. Due to the lack of attention to water management and the establishment of a significant mine, additional mining operations in the basin may be economically and water-unviable banned.
Implementing a contemporary mining strategy is critical. A collaborative approach should be adopted to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to address the challenges experienced by the mining industry. A sustainable mining strategy should prioritize the updating of the provincial mineral directorate by providing entrepreneurs with accurate information and maps for each mineral.
