By Faiza Tehseen ISLAMABAD, April 04 (INP-WealthPK): World-class dimension stone quarries can be developed at several points in Pakistan which can generate handsome revenue and create job opportunities. Haroonur Rasheed, Director Mining (South Region) Mohmand Dada Minerals Mining Company, said while talking to WealthPK that the potential of Pakistan in this sector remains untapped. He pointed out that only in the area of Nagarparkar in Sindh province, at least 15-20 world-class quarries can be developed. “From this area, Pakistan can get a regular income of at least $100 million in normal circumstances. Pakistan can earn handsome revenue from surface rent, and it will help local communities for a sustainable livelihood,” he said. Haroonur Rasheed said that due to the lack of marble/granite mining in Pakistan, imported synthetic tiles are used in multiple building projects. “The availability of marble/granite to a large extent will help Pakistan keep the precious foreign exchange,” he stated. He also shared that 10 to 20 world class quarries can be developed in the areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, and 30-35 quarries can be set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. “Although a large area in Balochistan province is still unexplored, still 10-15 quarries can be opened there as well. The Government of Pakistan must put emphasis on touching the international standards for the socio-economic prosperity of its people,” he stated. Sharing his views with WealthPK, Yaqoob Shah, Principal Geologist/Resident Representative in Global Mining Company (Pvt) Ltd. Islamabad, said that systematic mining is an important element to reap the maximum yield of minerals. “Preventing the loss of precious earth products must be made mandatory. World-class quarry development in Pakistan is the need of time. Awareness to adopt scientific and systematic mining is needed to make this sector environment-friendly,” he said. Assistant Director Mukhtiar Ghani from Geological Survey of Pakistan (Peshawar office) in discussion with WealthPK said that standardised quarry for sustainable mineral exploitation is important for Pakistan’s economy. “Local miners must be made aware of the importance of systematic mining. They must be taught that by adopting this way they will be able to operate the mine in the long run,” he said. Quarrying is the most common sub-classification of surface mining. Surface mining is complex in nature and mostly involves multiple steps, for example, site scouting, site preparation, overburden drilling/blasting, waste removal, drilling and hauling of mined materials. Surface mining is more advantageous in many aspects, including ore recovery, operational flexibility, productivity, safety and cost. Almost all non-metallic minerals, metallic ores and a fraction of coal to a large extent are surface mined. “There is a huge mining potential concerning marble and granite. Only in the area of Chagai, more than 100, while in overall mining area of Pakistan, hundreds of world-class quarries can be developed. It is the need of time that Pakistan’s mining sector authorities turn the leaf to develop world-class quarries for socio-economic prosperity,” Mukhtiar said. Talking to WealthPK, Geologist from Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) Taj Muhammad said chances of the best mining quarry exist in all areas where the mineral potential exists. He said Pakistan can have a fairly large quarry-based mineral industry by developing Muslim Bagh and Qila Saifullah both in mining and processing. Similarly, chances of exploring other mining quarries exists in the surrounding areas of Chagai magmatic arc (World-class copper and other associated base metals quarry, Saindak and Reko Diq are examples). “From mining to processing and then to finished product, a complete set of industry will be installed as a result of world-class quarry development trend in Pakistan. So, I strongly recommend systematic mining and quarrying as it not only helps to prevent the loss of precious minerals in case of blasting, but is environment-friendly as well,” he said.