Engineering Post report
The federal Government, as per the constitutional provisions, is mandated with geological surveys and regulation of mineral oil, natural gas and minerals necessary for generation of nuclear energy and those occurring in federally controlled areas, national policy formulation, facilitation and coordination at national and international levels.
All other minerals are Provincial subject and the executively and legislatively authority for regulating the development and exploitation of these natural resources through grant of mineral titles (prospecting/ exploitation of these natural resources through grant of mineral titles (prospecting /exploration licenses and mining leases ) etc.
Pakistan is blessed with as many as 92 minerals, out of which 50 are exploited on commercial basis.
Following initiatives/ achievements have been undertaken by the Petroleum Division for the uplift of mineral sector in Pakistan;
- Balochistan Minerals Exploration Company Limited (BMEC) was established as joint venture with the Provincial Government in August 2020 to promote large-scale mining in the mineral rich province of Balochistan.
- An investment facilitation project “ Establishment of National Minerals Data Centre (NMDC) “ has been launched at the federal level through Public Sector Development Development Programme (PSDP) at a cost of Rs 295.000 million to main data repository encompassing the available geo-technical data and administrative details about licensing –granted mineral titles and the areas applied for mining concession. The NMDC will comprise an integrated system of the units located in each province and other concerned organizations ( Geological Survey of Pakistan etc) connected to a Central set up managed by the Mineral Wing of the Metroleum Division . This arrangement would enable ready access to the basic data acquired by the prospective investors and would facilitate the investors in a big way.
- Another initiative has been taken through PSDP “Legal Consultancy Services for Drafting of Model Mineral Agreement and Formulation of Uniform Regulatory Regime “at a cost of Rs 100.000 million to facilitate introduction of an internationally competitive regulatory and institutional framework in the country in the light of the best industry practices.
- Action is underway for revamping of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC_ and restructuring of Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) for better service delivery to help exploration and development of indigenous mineral resources.
- Stakeholders ‘consultation process was also initiated for formulation of policy framework to promote use of indigenous coal resources for synthesis of gas and liquid fuels.
- Services have been extended for special development packages introduced by the Federal Government for mineral sector of Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Support is continued to facilitate smooth operation of mineral sector projects—Saindak Copper-Gold (Saindak Metals Limited), Duddar Lead –Zinc (MCC Huaye Duffar Mining Company), Barite –Lead-Zinc (Bolan Mining Enterprises), Chiniot Iron Ore (Punjab Mineral Company) and mining projects of rock and coal.
Coal is still used as a source of energy production; however, its share is only 12.8 per cent in total installed capacity.
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