Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan has sizable reserves of bismuth, a dark silvery teal green-tinged lustrous and brittle element existing in both elemental and compound forms; however, no dedicated survey has been conducted so far to quantify them. In an interview with WealthPK, Abdul Bashir, Chief Geologist in Balochistan-based ‘Koh-e-Daleel Minerals Company (Pvt) Ltd’, said that focus on bismuth mining could not only help cut short the country’s import bill but also strengthen the mining sector.

The most important ores of bismuth are bismite (an oxide), and bismuthinite (a sulfide), or carbonate form, which sometimes occur near the volcanic rocks. Bismuth is classified as a post-transitional metal, exhibiting the properties of both metals and non-metals. Bismuth is the 69th most abundant element in the earth’s crust, with a concentration of only 0.0085 parts per million. It is remarkably resistant to high temperatures.

Bismuth often occurs with the ores of copper, tin, silver, zinc, and lead. It is usually found in granite pegmatites or igneous rocks, which are classified into two types. Some of these rocks contain heavy and dark-colored minerals, such as pyroxene. Bismuth is found in dark-colored igneous rocks rich in base metals, whether they occur in the sea or at the earth’s surface.

Bashir said the dominant belt containing the igneous rock formation occurred in different areas of Balochistan like Zhob, Muslim Bagh, Wad, Khuzdar, and Kalat. Bismuth is found in this belt in strong association with the said metals/minerals and with the sulfide of lead/ galena. This belt of igneous rocks was formed in the sea bed in the ancient times. The other areas in Balochistan where strong traces of bismuth occur are Ras Koh and Chagai as the volcanic rocks occur there. This type of rock formations, which contains bismuth-associated minerals/metals, is also abundant in Peshawar and Waziristan. The Gossan Oxide Zone all along the Karakoram suture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is also rich in Bismuth traces.

Bismuth rarely occurs in elemental form, so it does not exist as large deposits. It is mostly found in association with or as a by-product with a number of other minerals/metals like cobalt, lead, copper, etc. Occasionally, in association with the oxides of cobalt or lead, the oxides of bismuth form crystals and can be used as gems. It is also produced as a by-product during the refining and smelting of silver, gold, copper, tin, and lead ores.

He suggested that  bismuth exploitation will open up new vistas of economic benefits for Pakistan. Bismuth is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceutics, fireworks, paint, alloys, ceramics, glass, electric fuses, fire detection safety devices, atomic fire alarms, sprinklers, and suppression systems. As a catalyst, it is used in the processing of plastics, rubber, synthetic, and acrylic fibers.

To enhance the fade resistance capabilities of brake pads, bismuth tri-sulfide is used as a solid lubricant because it can bear temperatures above 260ᵒ C. It is also used to frit coat the automotive glass for windshield seal protection from changing temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation.

It is also used in nuclear reactors and in cold fusion process. As a substitute for lead, bismuth can be used as a replacement to produce radiation-shielding blankets during solder applications, and to manufacture shots and bullets. Often, it is used to make alloys with other metals like lead, cadmium, and tin. Pakistan was the 81st largest importer of bismuth in the world in 2021, according to a report by OEC.World. The country spent only US$4.8K to buy this rare metal. It was the 1163^rd most imported product in the country. Most of bismuth is primarily imported from Spain. It is also imported from China and Germany.

Owing to the increasing use of bismuth in a multitude of industrial applications, its global market is expected to gain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.90% worth US$62 million by the year 2030 from US$38 million in 2021. Pakistan must get its share of earning profit from bismuth trade internationally, by focussing on its exploration and extraction. By providing flexible conditions and a peaceful environment, Pakistan can invite both local and foreign investors to work on bismuth exploration.

Credit: INP-WealthPk