The marble processing activity has been badly affected in Sindh and Balochistan following the heavy rains, which completely stopped mining activity specially in Balochistan.
All Pakistan Marble Mining Processing Industry and Exporters Association's Chairman Sana Ullah Khan said that processing activity had declined by at least 70 percent due to non-supply of marble. "We fear that marble industry will not be able to meet export orders as the supply of marble is discontinued now", he added. He said that last year the industry exported marble products worth 35 million dollars. This year, the exports would come down, he noted.
Sana Ullah said that processing industry received at least 500 trucks loaded with 250,000 to 300,000 tons of marbles per day. He pointed out that heavy rains had destroyed roads, mines and mining equipment worth billions of rupees in Sindh and Balochistan. That would not only render thousands of mine and processing workers jobless, but would also close down processing units in next one week due to non-availability of raw material, he added.
Sana Ullah said most of the mines in Lasbela, Mitri, Khuzdar, Ferozabad, Naal, Lora Lai, Chaghi, Daalbandin, Dewana Shah, Lakhan, Barikh, Aree Pir, Sarona, Jumma Goth and Lakki in Balochistan had been severely damaged and closed. Similarly, mines in Jhang Shahi and Bado Jabbal were also closed in Sindh.
He pointed out that connecting roads had also been damaged in mining areas, causing loss of millions of rupees to mine owners. Sana Ullah urged the government to provide assistance and relief to marble miners in this difficult time by waiving all kinds of taxes and also the financial assistance.
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