Faiza Tehseen

Production of indigenous value-added fluorspar in Pakistan is vital for meeting the domestic industry’s needs. By exporting excess product, precious foreign exchange can be earned, Chief Geologist of Balochistan-based Koh-e-Daleel Minerals (Pvt) Ltd Abdul Bashir told WealthPK. Fluorspar is a dynamic mineral source for the industrial sector. It may occur as a constituent of sedimentary rocks as grains or as a cementing material in sandstone. Usually, fluorite occurs in all types of thermal deposits forming an accessory as a late-crystallized mineral in felsic igneous rocks, including syenites and granite pegmatites. Through a hydrothermal activity, fluorite may also occur as a vein deposit, particularly in limestones. Abdul Bashir said fluorspar was a product of fluorite and it has more industrial uses than fluorite itself. It is a key ingredient in the production of steel, aluminium smelting, glass manufacturing, cement production, steel enamelling, and different industrial chemicals.

It is also used as a flux material to remove impurities from the mineral ore when it is refined for metal extraction. Fluorspar is classified according to grade quality. The higher the grade, the higher the quality. If the grade is between 60 and 80%, it will be used in the steel/metal industry. If the grade falls between 85 and 95%, it is called ceramic grade that is used in the manufacture of glass or other ceramic products. The third category falls between 97 and 99%, which is considered the best and is also called the last grade or acidic grade. It is used in the manufacture of acids like hydrofluoric acid. He said, “Rather than exporting in the raw or unprocessed form, value-added products of fluorspar are critical for capitalising on this important mineral. Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) provinces are rich in fluorspar bearing rock formations”.

The local fluorspar production can enhance the export income by up to 30–40%, thus cutting reliance on the imported fluorspar. In this way, the production cost for locally manufactured items based on fluorspar will also reduce, added Abdul Bashir. Speaking to WealthPK about the importance of fluorspar exploration and value addition, miner and geologist Imran Babar said, “Fluorspar is an important mineral. It is imported in value-added form for use in different industrial sectors.” He said most industrialists are unaware of the local natural sources, so an awareness campaign is necessary. He said the government should inform the miners about the value of their outcrops. Establishment of value addition units near the mines is also necessary to lower the cost. The government should either subsidize these units or help the miners in their installation.

Credit: INP-WealthPk