2 Thar mining blocks help country save USD3.2bn: Sindh CM

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday said the provincial government has established the legal and policy framework for the development of Thar coal, adding that two mining blocks are now operational and have helped save USD 3.2 billion in costly fuel imports through the use of indigenous resources.

He was addressing the Mining Technical Conference 2026, organised by the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) under the theme “Driving Pakistan’s Mining Sector through Collaboration, Innovation & Technology.”

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Pakistan has vast untapped mineral resources that require investment and technology and the Government of Sindh has already recognised this and designed a policy framework that led to a transformation of these mineral resources.

The chief minister said the mining technical conference is a landmark event bringing together three pillars - industry, academia and technology that will determine the future of the mining sector.

He said that the future of the industry depends on developing human capital who will lead the industry for decades. “I urge the companies to not just invest in mining and machinery but also people,” he said.

The chief minister said the provincial government has already provided the legal and policy framework to develop Thar’s coal and two blocks are currently operational, including one by SECMC and the utilisation of indigenous resources has saved USD 3.2 billion that could have been spent on expensive fuel imports.

“Pakistan’s mineral resources could become a major source of employment, industrial growth and national economic value if developed through responsible investment, modern technology and skilled human capital,” he said, adding that Sindh would continue to facilitate responsible investment and partnerships capable of creating long-term benefits for the national economy and local communities.

Amir Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer of SECMC, said global companies are interested in investigating in Pakistan’s vast untapped mineral resources.

He said the company’s role as organiser was to create a productive space where diverse stakeholders could move beyond institutional boundaries and develop a shared direction for the industry.

“Our responsibility as the convenor was to bring the right stakeholders to one table. Mining companies understand operational realities, universities bring research and knowledge, technology providers offer innovative solutions, and the government provides policy direction. Meaningful progress becomes possible when all these strengths are connected,” he said.

He said that no single organisation can transform Pakistan’s mining sector on its own. “We need sustained partnerships that connect operational experience, academic knowledge, government support and global technological expertise,” he added.

He said SECMC intended the conference to become a continuing platform through which the industry could identify common challenges, exchange knowledge and develop practical partnerships for research, workforce development and technology adoption. The conference’s objective was to begin building a coordinated framework for the long-term development of Pakistan’s mining industry, with collaboration, skills development and technological innovation at its core.

A key message emerging from the conference was that technological advancement cannot take place without parallel investment in people and skills. As mining operations become increasingly digital, automated and data driven, the sector will require skilled equipment operators, mining engineers, geologists, data specialists, researchers and technical professionals capable of working with modern systems.

Representatives from Reko Diq Mining Company, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, SSRL, National Resources Limited, HUBCO, Fauji Group, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Lucky Cement, Komatsu, DMT Germany, EACON Mining Technology, Tonly Heavy Industries and other national and international organisations participated in the event.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026