KP govt starts mapping of mineral deposits, plans study of lithium metal in Chitral.

PESHAWAR -- The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has started geographical mapping of potential unexplored mines and mineral deposits in different districts of the province including merged areas besides planning of exploration study of lithium metal in Chitral.

'We have started mapping of the potential mines and mineral sites in Khyber Pakthunkhwa with assistance of Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP). The mapping of 5,000 square kilometers areas in KP including Chitral and 600 sq km areas in Orakzai and Kurram districts were completed.

On the basis of GSP's survey, the exploration of minerals would be started on scientific lines," Jalal Khan, Senior Planning Officer (SPO), Mines and Mineral Department Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told reporter on Sunday.

The project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs397 million. Besides establishment of a gemstone laboratory and technical training and certification Center in the province, he said the government was strengthening KP's mineral testing laboratories for which modern equipment and machinery would be exported with an estimated cost of Rs93 million to save the precious marble and gemstones wealth.

He said a mineral complex would be established at Hayatabad industrial estate Peshawar where one window facilities and consultancy services would be provided to investors.

He said land would be purchased for the establishment of offices of the department in mineral rich Chitral, Dir,l Manshera, DI Khan and Swabi, adding 350 cases were registered against illegal miners.

Jalal Khan said that till to date, 3000 online lease applications on the portal were received from interested parties. 'We charged Rs60,000 per lease from the contract awarding party who was providing up to 600 acres of land for excavation,' he said, adding the project cost about Rs156 million.

About future projects, Jalal Khan said that exploration study of lithium metal in Chitral besides other metallic minerals would be conducted and studies in this regard were also started.

According to KP Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BIT), Khyber Pakthunkhwa has an estimated potential of 14 trillion ton a year of marble, limestone, dolomite, soapstone, silica and other mineral resources, 70 million carets gemstones, 1.10 billion bbls of oil reserves, 7.5 million tons a year production of maize, wheat, sugarcane and tobacco. The estimated potential of 16 trillion cubic feet natural gas reserves, US 32 billion per year gemstones and...