NATURAL RESOURCES OF PAKISTAN

A country‟s natural resources play a vital role in its social and economic development, the basic resources are primarily minerals, water, land, and forest, upon which a country depends for its survival. Pakistan is one of the “resource rich” countries in the world having a huge amount of coal, gas, gemstones, copper, and gold reserves. The Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation is basically the responsible authority for the support and growth of the mining industry. Gemstones Corporation of Pakistan Limited looks after the interests of stakeholders in gemstone mining and polishing as a formal entity. Every province in Pakistan has its own unique resource richness just like Baluchistan is 

the richest province in terms of mineral resources available in Pakistan. While in recent times, Sindh discovered coal deposits in Thar. Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa is enriched in terms of gems and most of the mineral gems that are found in Pakistan are present in this area.

Some major natural resources present in Pakistan

1. Coal

Coal which is also named as black gold is found into huge quantities in Thar, Chamalang, Quetta and other sites. Thar reserves are estimated more than 850 Trillion Cubic Feet. There is enough coal in Pakistan Thar area (though a part of coal is not of good quality) that it can be used for power generation for next 100 years without relaying on other i.e. hydro / oil resources. Pakistan recently discovered one low and four low-to-medium quality coal seams in the Punjab. Low sulfur coal was recently reported at the Baluchistan and near Islamabad. Bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite coal have been found in Pakistan. About 80% of coal is produced by government and 20% is produced by private 

sector.

2. Natural Gas

Natural gas production is at a high level in Pakistan. Estimated reserves are more than 900 billion cubic meters. Gas fields are expected to last for another 20 years. The Sui gas field is the largest, accounting for 26% of Pakistan‟s gas production. Gas deposits of Sui discovered in 1953. Daily production is 19 

million cubic meters a day. Under the barren mountains of Balochistan and the sands of Sindh, there are untouched oil and gas reserves. Major users of natural gas areas are Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

3. Crude Oil

Pakistan's first oil field was in the late 1952 in Baluchistan near a giant Sui gas field. The Toot oil field was not discovered in the early 1960s in the Punjab. It covers 122.67 square kilometres (47.36 sq mi). Pakistan Petroleum and Pakistan Oilfields explored and began drilling these fields with Soviet help in 1961 and activity began in Toot during 1964.

4. Uranium production

Pakistan has a long history of exporting small amounts of uranium to the west. The Tumman Leghari mine in South Punjab, Baghalchur mine, Dera Ghazi Khan Mine and Issa Khel / Kubul Kel mines in Mianwali District. Pakistan has recently used some in its own nuclear power and weapons programs. Pakistan has produced about 50 tonnes of Uranium.

5. Mineral Salt

Salt is being minned in the region since 320 BC. Khewra Salt Mines are among world oldest and biggest salt mines. Salt has been mined at Khewra since 320 BC. In an underground area of about 110 square kilometres (42 sq mi). Khewra salt mine has estimated total of 220 million tonnes of rock salt deposits. The current production from the mine is 325,000 tons salt per annum.

6. Copper & Gold

In Reqo Diq, Baluchistan deposits of copper and gold are present. Antofagasta the company having possession of Reqo Diq field is targeting initial production of 170,000 metric tons of copper and 300,000 ounces of gold a year.The project may produce more than 350,000 tons a year of copper and 900,000 ounces of gold. There are also presences of copper deposites in Daht -e- Kuhn, Nokundi, 

located in Chaghi district.

7. Iron Ore

Iron ore found in various regions of Pakistan including Nokundi, Chinot and the largest one in Kalabagh (Less than 42% quality), Harripur and other Northern Areas.

8. Gems and other precious stones

A number of precious stones are minned and polished for local as well as export purposes. The centre point of this operation is Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa.