Barriers to Development of Mineral Sector in Pakistan

Following barriers are identified which need to be eliminated in order to
develop sustainable mining culture in the country and enable it to
contribute considerably towards GDP. These obstacles include:

1. LACK OF GEOLOGICAL KNOW HOW

This is a cruel fact that Private Sector mostly does not involve in geological
exploration of minerals, even in their own Leased areas. They go straight
for unplanned mining to get quick return on their investment, which
shortens the life of the mineral deposit and thus most of the resource
remains untapped. As an outcome the Sector had to bear losses and the
mining is stopped.
Hence it is proposed here that Private Sector should acquire geological
information from the provincial or Federal Agencies (which should be made
mandatory upon these Agencies to provide free of charge, if available),
before commencing mining operations. In case, if such data is not
available, Private Sector should exert to create it’s own technical data by
hiring geologists and mining engineers on contract basis and appraise
mineral deposit, qualitatively and quantitatively. It would then lead to a
sustainable exploitation and supply of mineral to the market. In
consequence, local industrial sector dependent upon indigenous mineral
raw material would be encouraged and come forward to invest in Mineral
Sector.

2. UNPLANNED MINING

Subsequent to reserve estimation and suitability of a mineral for industrial
use, pre-requisite to commercial mining, is preparation of a Mining
Feasibility Study to ascertain production target from the mine as per
market demand. Unfortunately this fundamental requirement is ignored
both by Public and Private Sector. This delinquency has lead to unplanned
mining activities, resulting in the unsustainable supply of minerals to the
industry. Probably this is the main cause that so far no mineral based
industry could flourish in Pakistan. This unplanned mining practice also
shortens the life of a mine so full potential of a deposit cannot be utilized.
So it is emphasized here that commercial exploitation should be initiated
after Mining Feasibility has been prepared.

3. INSUFFICIENT TECHNICAL STAFF

It has also been noticed that the Private Sector does not hire technically
qualified staff to look after the mining operations, which leads to erroneous
mining sometimes resulting in heavy monitory and human life losses. It is
therefore recommended that surveyors, mining geologists and engineers
must be engaged for technical guidance before and during mining.