Exploitation of the mineral potential of Kohistan Island Arc (KIA), which stretches from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hazara division to Gilgit-Baltistan region in the extreme north, on scientific lines can fetch a fortune for Pakistan as the area is rich in a variety of rare earth elements (REEs) as well as precious and semi-precious minerals and metals. “Different geochemical studies conducted by Pakistan Minerals Development Corporation (PMDC) in these areas strongly indicate the presence of promising quantities of copper, gold and molybdenum,” said Muhammad Yaqub Shah, principal geologist associated with an Islamabad-based mining company. He told WealthPK that over a decade ago some geological studies conducted by PMDC proved the presence of REEs – palladium and platinum in KIA. He said the studies showed that azurite (copper-bearing ore) rocks were also widely exposed in the area. “This type of mineralisation is a strong indicator of tin-tungsten occurrence in pegmatite rocks, veins and stock works resulting from a late-stage magmatic crystallisation.”

He said KIA was formed by the exposure of a complete section of the oceanic crust and the seafloor sedimentary rocks. “It is a unique juncture of suture zone, continent-continent collision, regional tectonics, mantle crust evolution, and the subduction/obduction of oceanic crust. Copper, gold, silver and a variety of other ore mineralisation is a common phenomenon in these types of geological zones.” Talking to WealthPK, Abdul Bashir, chief geologist at Koh-i-Daleel Minerals Company (Pvt) Ltd, a Balochistan-based firm, said KIA was a rigid area consisting of high altitudes. “With time, a good number of geological activities have taken place there, indicating that the area is rich in gemstones, rare earth elements and precious and semi-precious minerals and metals. Due to harsh weather and extreme climatic conditions, sometimes it becomes difficult to continue any type of work there – whether related to mining or surveying. But, an aerial magnetic survey can be performed by using an airplane or a drone”. He said exploration and mining could jumpstart in the area after a survey.

He said exploration activities could initially start at small-scale, gradually leading to large-scale developments. “Establishment of a central station to organise and monitor the surveying and mining-related activities in this area can be proved cost-effective.” Bashir also said establishment of mining deck and processing area would surely make up for the exploration costs. He said mineral exploitation in this area could bring socioeconomic revolution in Pakistan. He said infrastructure development would open up modicum of opportunities for the locals. Speaking to WealthPK about the gemstone potential of KIA, gemstones exporter and gemmologist Zakirullah said though proper mining facilities never existed in this area, sometimes gemstone specimens brought from there indicated the potential of this area. “A scientific survey is necessary to know the mineral species there.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)