Mine owners demand end to blasting ban.

KHYBER -- The Khyber Mine Owners Association (KMOA) has warned that the local mining industry will collapse if it isn't provided with necessary equipment and the ban on controlled blasting continues.

KMOA president Asghar Khan told a seminar here on Saturday that a lack of interest on part of authorities in resolving the issues facing mine owners was pushing the mining industry towards a 'complete collapse.'

He said Khyber was rich in mineral resources like coal, fluoride, lead and marble, but authorities weren't interested in the exploration of that valuable hidden treasure.

Mr Khan said a huge quantity of precious minerals was lost due to the use of conventional excavation methods, while mine owners suffered losses worth millions of rupees and thousands of miners lost jobs due to the continuous neglect of the industry by authorities.

KMOA general secretary Arshad Ali, who was also in attendance, argued that most of the mine owners qualified to get licences for the controlled use of explosives but they continued to be denied those permits, so they suffered huge losses.

Warn industry will collapse if equipment not provided

The seminar was also attended by mine owners, elders...