The marble city being established at Loralai, Balochistan to process marble and granite, is expected to generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The concerned authorities, as part of its measures to enhance production of minerals from Balochistan, would also introduce one-common facility and training center.
Official sources on Sunday said Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) has introduced mechanised quarrying of marble/limestone in Balochistan and also established one machinery pool and five quarrying projects in collaboration with private lease-holders.
Giving details about mineral exploration projects launched in Balochistan province during last five years, the sources said these included public sector project namely Balochistan Copper-Gold project at Reko-Diq area, district Chagai while about 95 prospecting/exploration licenses were granted in private sector for different minerals. During the period, the sources said Geological Survey of Pakistan conducted geological mapping/mineral investigation in different districts of Balochistan. Moreover, new mineral occurrences of copper, manganese and iron have been identified in Lasbela, Khuzdar and Chagai areas. These mineral showings require detailed exploration for proving as economic deposits while Geoscience Advance Research Lab, Islamabad was upgraded through procurement of scientific equipment.
Moreover, the Federal and Provincial Governments took numerous measures to enhance mineral production in Balochistan which included updation of National Mineral Policy to facilitate investment in mineral sector and enhance its international competitiveness with consensus of all provinces and approval of Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) regularly carried out development works to maintain and enhance coal production. The Corporation is also working in a joint venture with a Chinese Company for exploitation of Duddar-Lead Zinc Deposit (District Lasbela), which is presently under trial production. Moreover, the sources said a Marble City at Hub has been established to introduce modern mechanised mining, cutting and polishing of stone of international standard.
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