Applied Geology

Mineral’s Deposits in
Pakistan

Submitted by
Muhammad Umair 2k17-P&G-02
Usama Naeem 2k17-P&G-01
Syed Sabir Shah 2k17-P&G-32
Momin Khan 2k16-P&G-23
Instructor
Engineer Omer Shafiq
Dept. Of Petroleum & Gas Engineering

7/5/2018
 Contents
Objective .................................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4
Mining .................................................................................................................................... 4
Terms in mining.................................................................................................................. 4
What is a Mineral? ................................................................................................................. 4
Mineral’s Classification ...................................................................................................... 4
Mining in Pakistan ..................................................................................................................... 5
Background ............................................................................................................................ 5
Mining in Pakistan .............................................................................................................. 5
15 Top minerals in Pakistan ............................................................................................... 6
Mineral’s Deposits in Pakistan .................................................................................................. 7
Balochistan ............................................................................................................................. 7
Copper ................................................................................................................................ 7
Chromite Ore ...................................................................................................................... 7
Lead-Zinc Ore..................................................................................................................... 8
Coal ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Iron Ore............................................................................................................................... 8
Antimony ............................................................................................................................ 9
Natural Gas ......................................................................................................................... 9
Manganese .......................................................................................................................... 9
Limestone ........................................................................................................................... 9
Magnesite............................................................................................................................ 9
Gypsum ............................................................................................................................... 9
Marble ................................................................................................................................. 9
Punjab ................................................................................................................................... 10
Salt .................................................................................................................................... 10
Gypsum ............................................................................................................................. 10
Iron Ore............................................................................................................................. 10
Coal ................................................................................................................................... 10
Natural Oil ........................................................................................................................ 10
Natural Gas: ...................................................................................................................... 11
Limestone ......................................................................................................................... 11

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 Aluminium ........................................................................................................................ 11
Marble ............................................................................................................................... 11
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ........................................................................................................... 11
Chromite ........................................................................................................................... 11
Gypsum ............................................................................................................................. 11
Limestone ......................................................................................................................... 12
Gemstones ........................................................................................................................ 12
Phosphates ........................................................................................................................ 12
Coal ................................................................................................................................... 12
China Clay ........................................................................................................................ 13
Magnesite.......................................................................................................................... 13
Sindh..................................................................................................................................... 13
Natural Oil ........................................................................................................................ 13
Natural Gas ....................................................................................................................... 13
Coal ................................................................................................................................... 13
Limestone ......................................................................................................................... 14
Salt .................................................................................................................................... 14

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Mineral’s Deposits in Pakistan
Objective
Pakistan a piece of heaven, has gifted with a treasure of natural resources having a
wide range of geological framework containing deposits of metallic minerals, rock-
forming minerals, industrial minerals, precious minerals and economic minerals.
Mining acts as a backbone of a country. It plays a dominating a role in the Industrial
development and progress of a country. In this writing we will through a light on the
mining in Pakistan, mineral’s deposits in Pakistan, exploration, extraction and
exploitation of minerals in Pakistan.

Introduction
Mining
The extraction of minerals and other geological material from mines for the
economic interest of minor is called mining. s

Terms in mining
Basically mining contains three major terms:

i) Exploration (to discover the minerals)

ii) Extraction (to extract the minerals using proper methodology)
iii) Exploitation (utilization of minerals for the development purposes)

What is a Mineral?
Natural occurring substances having definite atomic structure and less or more
definite chemical composition are called minerals.

Minerals are formed due to cooling and crystallization of magma or transformation

of underground rocks by heat, pressure and temperature affects or by the breakage
of volcanic rock by the action of wind and water.

Mineral’s Classification
Minerals can be classified into two major categories:

1. Ore forming/Metallic Minerals

2. Rock forming/Non-metallic Minerals

Rock forming Minerals Ore forming Minerals

1 They don’t have any metallic They have metallic content in it
content in it
2 They are found in abundance in They don’t found in abundance in
earth’s crust earth’s crust

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 3 They have less economic value
4 They are generally soft, rough, un-
shiny and un-malleable
5 E.g. table salt, gypsum, coal,
Sulphur, marble, clays etc.
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They have more economic value
They are hard, shiny, tough and
malleable
E.g. copper , iron ore, antimony, gold,
silver, chromite etc.

Mining in Pakistan
Background
Pakistan has a large treasure of mineral deposits and on the basis of a survey 600000
sq.kms areas contains huge amount of 23 metallic and 24 non-metallic minerals
having worth of Trillion US dollars which have their geological and economic
importance. In the past geological surveys carried out by government and multi-
national mining sectors in Pakistan has proved that Pakistan has great potential in
the metallic minerals like gold, copper, platinum ( a very economic mineral), silver ,
iron, lead, chromite and zinc and in Industrial minerals like multi-colored marble,
granite and many other stones of good quality and dimensions for exporting.

Mining in Pakistan
PMDC established in 1974 which work for the development and for the support of
mining industry. GCPL established in 1978 which works majorly for mining and
polishing of Gemstones. MMDD established in 2001(under the National Mineral
Policy of 1995) in Sindh which take steps to establish the field offices.

In Pakistan there are 52 minerals that are under exploitation on small scale. The
minerals that are majorly exploited are rock salt, coal, cement and other industrial
and building minerals. The 5 major minerals that include gypsum, coal, limestone,
crude oil, Sulphur and natural gas, add major value in mineral sector. In GDP its
contribution is about 0.5% and with the development and economic exploitation of
Copper deposits in Saindak & Reco Diq,Coal and Gemstone deposits in Thar
and Zinc-lead deposits in Duddar. Pakistan includes among the twenty major
cement producing countries and among the five major cement’s exporters in the
world. Pakistan exports its cement to India, Iraq, Kenya, Afghanistan, South Africa,
Sri Lanka, Tanzania etc. The mining companies working in Pakistan and their
corresponding number of minerals explorations are shown in the Table1.

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 Table 1

Mining Companies Number of Minerals

PUNJMIN 8
Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation 11
FATA Development Corporation 10
Balochistan Development Authority 40
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Development Authority 4
Azad Kashmir Mineral and Industrial Development Corporation 12

15 Top minerals in Pakistan

1. Aluminum
2. Copper
3. Zinc/Lead
4. Gypsum / Anhydrite
5. Rock salt
6. Magnesite
7. Kaolin (China clay)
8. Gemstones
9. Iron ore
10. Chromite ore
11. Coal
12. Phosphates
13. Solar salt
14. Limestones
15. Natural stones for construction ( onyx, marble and granite)

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 Mineral’s Deposits in Pakistan
On the basis of geographical structure Pakistan mineral’s deposits are distributed among four
provinces.

1. Balochistan
2. Punjab
3. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
4. Sindh

Balochistan
Recently 52 minerals are producing in Pakistan out of which 40 minerals are being
produced by Balochistan. Baluchistan is the richest one province of Pakistan
contained 80-85% mineral’s deposits and nearly all the exploration of the
Baluchistan has been done till now by the Geographical Survey of Pakistan.

Major Minerals of Baluchistan are as follows:

Copper
Geological survey of Pakistan as well as foreign investors has discovered major
copper resources in the Chagai (A district of Baluchistan) at Koh-i-Dalil, Saindak,
Durban Chah, Ziarat Pir Sultan Rekodiq, Dash-i-Kain, Kabul Koh etc.

Project Name Reserves Location

Saindak 400 million tons 40km west to Rekodiq
project

Rekodiq 837 million tons District Chagai Baluchistan

Dasht-e-Kain 400 million tons Dalbandin
Ziarat Pir 200 million Dalbandin

Chromite Ore
Among the deposits of chromite in Pakistan and their occurrence, Balochistan is the
only and significant chromite producers at commercial level. Zhob valley of
Balochistan contains the best chromite deposits which are important both materially
as well as internationally. Other deposits of chromite in Balochistan occurs in west
of province at Ras Koh Range and in the South of province at Wadh deposits at
Khuzdar (A district of Balochistan). A good quality Chromite is present in Wadh.
5000 to 10000 tons of chromite is generally found in ore bodies of Wadh. Chromite
mining was started in early 1903 and by today 15000 to 20000 tons per year are
being produced.

In Balochistan major Chromite deposits occurs at Noshki, Dilbandin, Muslim Bagh,

Ras-koh, Miran Shah, Bela, Khuzdar and Wana.

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Lead-Zinc Ore
In Balochistan near the district Lasbella and Khuzdar a large number of Lead-Zinc
deposits have been discovered. Total amount of Lead-Zinc deposits are estimated to
be 26 million tons in the three major occurrences of Surmai, Duddar and Gunga.s

Occurrence Reserves
Gunga 2.93 million tons

Duddar 13.34 million tons

Surmai 22.93 million tons

Coal
In Balochistan the total amount of coal reserves is estimated to be 217 million tons.

In the province coal deposits are found in following 6 places:

1. Khost-Shahrig-Harnai
2. Pir Ismail-Ziarat
3. Chamalong
4. Dukki
5. Mach Abegum
6. Sor-Range-Degari-Sinjidi

Occurrence Reserves
Khost-Shahrig-Harnai 76 million tons
Pir Ismail-Ziarat 12 million tons
Chamalong 50 million tons
Dukki 51 million tons
Mach Abegum 23 million tons
Sor-Range-Degari-Sinjidi 50 million tons

Iron Ore
In Balochistan majorly the iron-ore deposits are occurred at district Chagai. The
total estimated deposits of iron ore in Balochistan are to be 273 million tons. The
deposits have small size but rich in iron. Major iron ore deposits at Chagai district
are found in Chigendik, Pachin Koh and Chilgazi and at Kalalt district found in
Dilband.

Occurrence Reserves

Chigendik 5 million tons

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 Pachin Koh 45 million tons

Chilgazi 23 million tons

Dilband 200 million tons

Antimony
In Balochistan near the Qila Abdullah small and few occurrences of antimony ore
are present but they are mined annually.

Natural Gas
In Pakistan the total amount in reserves of natural gas is estimated to be 31 trillion
feet3. Natural gas reserves occur at Balochistan at Sui, Pirkok, Golarchi, Mazarani.
The largest gas reserve of Pakistan occurs in Sui covering area of 75 miles2.

Manganese
Manganese reserves occur in Khuzdar and Lasbela in Balochistan. The total
estimated amount of these two reserves is to be 0.477 million tons.

Limestone
In the Balochistan large deposits of good quality limestone is occurs, which is
suitable for constructions of buildings, making of roads and for the usage in
chemical industries. For the manufacturing of cement 8697 metric tons of
limestones is being produced annually. It is graded to be the limestone of high
quality occurs in Pakistan.

Magnesite
In Balochistan the deposits of Magnesite are present in Bela, Wadh (Khuzdar
District), Muslim Bagh (Qila Saifullah District). Open pit a method of mining is
used for the mining of magnesite. Magnesite produced annually is about 700 tons.

Gypsum
In Balochistan according to a survey total deposits of Gypsum are to be 2000
million tons found at different reserves. In Balochistan the gypsum deposits found
at Chamalong-Bahlol (Loralai district) and Spintangi (Sibi district). Gypsum is
produce by open pit mining. These days production rate of gypsum annually is
nearly negligible.

Marble
In Balochistan high quality marble and its large deposits are present in Chagai and
the amount is estimated to be 2 million tons. Mining of marble is carried out by
quarrying method. In Balochistan the major marble deposits are found in Patkok,
Butak, Chah, Zeh, Tozghi, Mashki, Julhi, Zard Khan. The estimated amount of
marble reserves of Balochistan is to be over 12 million tons.

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 Punjab
The major minerals that occur in Punjab are as below:

Salt
Salt deposits in Punjab majorly found in Salt Range which is 160 kilometers
lengthwise between the rivers Indus and Jhelum. Rock Salt deposits are found at
Warachs, Bhadurkhel, Karak, Khewra, Kalabagh and Jatta and are produced by
PMDC. PMDC also produced salt at Khushab and Chakwal. According to PMDC
the total salt reserves in Punjab are 600 million tons.

Gypsum
Among the provinces of Pakistan, Punjab ranked second having the deposits of
Gypsum. Dadukhel (Mianwali district) having the major Gypsum reserves of nearly
53 million tons. Other Gypsum reserves are present in Khewra, Rakhi-Munh and
Safed koh-Rodo. Also the Gypsum is present in Suleman Range (D.G. Khan).

Iron Ore
Large deposits of iron ores are occurred in Punjab. Major iron deposits are found in
Kalabagh (Mianwali district).

Coal
In the region of Punjab the deposits of Coal are nearly 235 million tons. The
deposits of coal are found in Makarwal and Salt Range in Punjab. The coal present
in this region is of average quality as compared with other provinces of Pakistan.

Natural Oil
Potwar a region of Punjab contains huge and well-known oil fields. Following table
show the oil fields of Punjab

Oil field Discovery Year Region

Dhulin 1935 Potwar

Balkassar 1946 Jehlum

Meyal 1968 Attock

Fim Kassar 1978 Jehlum

Khaur 1915 Attock

Joya Mir 1944 Potwar

Tut 1968 Attock

Adhi 1978 Rawalpindi

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Natural Gas:
Uch located near the Multan is the only chief gas reservoir in Punjab. The Adhi Gas
Resrvoir which is located near Rawalpindi has a supply of 63 tons/day of LPG, 19
Mcf/day of gas and 310 barrels/day of NGL (Natural gas liquid).

Limestone
In Punjab the large deposits of Limestone are found in Margalla Hills, Potwar
Plateau, Salt range and ZindaPir

Aluminium
Aluminiun deposits are found in the Khushab district of Punjab which is graded to
be low quality.

Marble
Marble is a source for foreigin earning of Pakistan.Major marble reserves of
Punjabare found in Dalbandin Hills (Attock district)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
KPK or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has gifted with numerous reserves of minerals. The
major mineral reserves of KPK are described below:

Chromite
In KPK the deposits of Chromite have their own importance from exporting point of
view and it could enable Pakistan to earn handsome earning. In KPK following
major reserves of Chromite are present:

Occurrence Reserves

Heroshah 0.1 million tons

Dargai 0.3 million tons

Chilas & Jijal-pattan 0.2 million tons

Gypsum
In KPK the largest reserves of Gypsum are present. Following table gives a brief
description of gypsum deposits in KPK:

Occurrence District Reserves

Mughalkot & Drazinda Dera Ismail Khan 70 million tons

Saiduwali Dera Ismail Khan 20 million tons

Kohat 442 million tons

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Limestone
Northern areas of Pakistan and KPK are enriched with huge deposits of good quality
limestones.8.69 million tons of limestone is used annually in construction of
buildings, making of roads and utilize in chemical industries.

Gemstones
According to a survey Pakistan is ranked to be the leading member among the gem-
hosting countries. KPK, Northern Areas and AJ&K contain major resources of
Gemstones. Major gemstones in KPK are Ruby, Peridot, Emerald, Pink Topaz,
Green Ruby etc.

Gemstones Reserves Occurrence

Pink Topaz 09 million carats Mardan

Emerald 70 million carats Swat

Peridot 10 million carats Hazara

Garnet Not evaluated Bajor

Tourmaline, Aquamarine Not evaluated Chitral

Phosphates
In KPK the deposits of phosphates are of marine in the origin and Cambrian
sedimentary in characteristics. The phosphate deposits of KPK are written below:

Occurrence Rock Reserves

Abbottoabad Siliceous Ores 12 million tons
Hazara Dolomite 14 million tons

Coal
In KPK the deposits of coal present are very tiny and no huge deposit is present.
The deposits of Coal in KPK are mentioned below:

Occurrence Reserves
Gulla Khel/ Cherat 9 million tons
Orakzai/ Hangu 82 million tons

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China Clay
A plant of elutriation has been working at Shah Dheri an area of Swat where China
Clay is majorly produced. Pakistan produces 61.4 million tons of China Clay
yearly.

Magnesite
Under the hold of PIDC the total reserves of Magnesite are present in the mines of
Kumhar (Abbottoabad District) and contains acceptable amount of magnesium
oxide of nearly 46-47%

Sindh
Natural Oil
In Sindh many oil reservoirs are present and the major oil fields are mentioned
below:

Oil Field Discovery year

Laghari 1983
Tano Adam 1984
Khaskheli 1981

Natural Gas
In the province of Sindh major gas reserves are found in Mari, Khairpur, Kandkot,
Khaskheli and Golarchi. Major Gas fields of Sindh and there production rate is
mentioned below:

Gas Field Production

Marri 290 Mcf/Day

Kand Kot 30 Mcf/Day

Coal
According to GSP the total reserves of Coal present in Pakistan are estimated 185
billion tons and out of them 184 billion tons occur in Sindh and it is among the
biggest and good quality deposits in the World.

Occurrence Reserves

Sonda_Thatta 3700

Jherruck 1823

Ongar 312

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 Badin 16

Thar Coal 175506

Indus East 1777

Lakhra 1328

Meting-Jhimpir 161

Limestone
Sindh is gifted with large deposits of good quality limestone at Kot Dijiand Ranipir,
Mango Pir, Cape Monze, Ganjo Takkar, Murli Hills and which is useful in chemical
industries, construction purposes and making of roads.

Salt
In Karachi a city of Sindh, around its coastal areas positive aspects exists in
development for solar salt of high purity and the Solar Salt thus produced can be
export to the South-Asian Chemical Companies and other growing Industries.

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