INP-WealthPk

Deposits of heavy rare earth elements in Balochistan need to be tapped

July 01, 2024

Faiza Tehseen

A systematic research and development (R&D) mechanism needs to be put in place to exploit the reserves of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) in Balochistan for boosting exports of value-added products.

This was highlighted by Abdul Bashir, a chief geologist with a Balochistan-based exploration firm – Koh-e-Daleel Minerals (Pvt), Ltd. Talking to WealthPK, he said HREEs were the critical components in producing strategic equipment, electronic devices, high-tech industrial instruments, and renewable energy technologies. “HREEs are expected to occur in ophiolites formed within the basaltic rocks. They are different from the granitic rocks, usually the darkest in shade.” He said ophiolite-bearing basalt rocks mostly occurred in the Muslim Bagh and Khuzdar areas of Balochistan and in the Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “These rocks are usually in the darkest shades, including blackish ones.”  Bashir said that rare earth elements (REEs) were basically of two types: light REEs (LREEs) and heavy REEs (HREEs). “In the periodic table, the series of elements from 57 to 63 and 64 to 71 represent LREEs and HREEs, respectively. HREEs mostly include terbium, dysprosium, and yttrium. All of them are high in demand in the global market for the manufacturing of sensitive but advanced technological equipment.”  He said most of the HREE ores were associated with a lot of other minerals like mica schists and quartz gneisses.

“When these are exported in raw form, precious rare earth elements, including different LREEs and HREEs, are also shipped without any laboratory test. No mineral in raw form without a proper lab report, including the trace elements, should be exported in any form.” The geologist said that despite having great sources in the form of basaltic rocks, Pakistan lacked sophisticated equipment, proper technology, expertise and ample finances to tap them. “Pakistan can overcome this problem by forging partnerships with countries with enough resources.” Bashir said that R&D was key to benefiting from the mineral wealth of Pakistan. “As China is advanced in casual and sophisticated mining technology and expertise, Pakistan can seek its help in this regard.” Meanwhile, Imran Babar, a miner and geologist, while highlighting the importance of R&D for the exploitation of HREEs, told WealthPK that a lot of mineral wealth from Pakistan was exported without sophisticated lab checks. He also emphasised creating awareness about the importance of REEs among the local investors.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk