Introduction
Minerals or mineral resources play the main role in industrial development of a country. The country blessed with mineral wealth progresses very rapidly in the field of economics and industry.
Eighty five percent of Pakistan is covered with crusty rocks, particularly with lime rocks. At some places there are sand stones and at few places shales are in abundance. The North Eastern Balochistan, the mountain areas of N.W.F.P. and the Salt Ranges, possess fire rocks as well. But due to lack of modern technology and financial constrains the exploration and exploitation of mineral deposits could not be quickly achieved. Now the Government with foreign capital and technoloty is exploring the mineral resources rapidly so that these bounties of Allah may be fully utilize.
The important mineral resources of Pakistan are, Oil, Natural gas, Coal, Iron, Salt, Chromite, Gypsum, Copper, Lime stone, Marble, Fire clay and Sulphur.
Mineral Oil
Oil has a very significant value is this age of industry. This is not only used in the factories and mills, but the transport system also depends upon it. Moreover, it is of domestic use also.
Till recently, the discovery of oil in Pakistan was not encouraging. We used to produce only 8% of our requirement and had to import crude oil from foreign countries to meet our requirements. A large amount of foreign exchange was spent on it. Luckily during the last few years there has been an increase in the discovery of oil. New fields have been discovered in the Southern parts of Hyderabad and Badin districts. Experts opine that oil and also be explored from the Sea bottom at certain places. There is a strong possibility that we might find oil reservoirs in the sea near our coastal areas. The places in Pakistan freom where oil is obtained include Khor, Dhullian, Kot-Sarang, Toot, Meyal, Dhyrnal, Dhermint Adhee, Qazian, Dhodhak, Tando Alam, Khaskhley and Laghari. The crude oil obtained from Attock, Jehlum and Chakwal districts is refined in the refinery of Morghan near Rawalpindi. Two oil refineries also exist in Karachi which refine the oil obtained from Sindh and the oil imported from abroad.
Although there has been an increas in the production of oil over previous years yet under the growing demands of oil in the country, the oil is still imported in large quantities. The total yearly production of oil in the country in 1981-82 was 3.96 million barrels, in 1982-83 it increased to 4.73 million barrels. By August 1985 the total daily production of oil reached upto 40,000 barrels and by December 1988 it rose to 50,000 barrels, and at present it is more than 60,000 barrels, bringing the annual production of oil from different oil fields of the country to more than 2055 mill barrels.
Natural Gas
In 1952, at Sui in Dera Bugti area of Balochistan natural gas was discoverd during a search for oil. The deposits of natural gas in Pakistan are more than oil. Pakistan meets 35% of her energy requirements with the natural gas. The places in Pakistan from where gas is being obtained include, Sui, Uch, Khairpur, Mizrati, Bari, Sandak, Dhodhak, PirKoh, Dhullain, Meyal, Murree, Badin, Golarch and Turk. Gas is supplied supplied through pipeline to different parts of the country. A pipeline goes to Karachi via Sukkur and Hyderabad while another goes to Lahore via Multan and Faisalabad. Another pipeline from Faisalabad supplies gas to Wah via Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Quetta has also been supplies gas from Sui recently. From Marri gas fields, there factories of chemical fertilizers in Sindh are supplies gas.
Coal
Coal has been discoverd at several places in Pakistan, but it is not good quality. It is rather difficult to extract coal from the mines as the layers of coal are not thick. There are big deposits of coal at three places in Pakistan. (1) The Salt Ranges (2) The North Eastern Balochistan (3) The lower Sindh Valley.
The biggest coal mine is in the Salt Range at Makarwal. Coal is also dug from Pidh in the same area. In the north eastern Balochistan, there are mines at Khost, Shahrag, Harnai, Sor, Degari, Shirin Aab, Bolan and Mach areas. A coal processing plant is also installed at Shahrag. In the lower Sindh areas at Jhimpir, Meting, Lakhra and Thar are important.
The annual coal production in Pakistan is about two metric tonnes. This coal is not of good quality, that is why it is used in kilns, ceramic industries, ginning mills and producing thermal electricity.
Iron Ore
Iron Ore deposits in Pakistan have been discovered at Kala Bagh, Makarwal, Chitral, Hazara, Khuzdar, Chilghazi, Muslim Bagh, Nok Kundi, Chaghai etc. Iron Ore of Nok Kundi and Chitral is of high quality. Presently the Iron Ore discovered in Pakistan is not enough to meet our national requirements.
Salt
There are vast deposits of mineral salt in our country, which are among big salt deposits of the the world. The largest mine is at Khewra. Salt is also obtained from Warchha Khel and Karak. Salt is also obtained from sea water at Mauripur (Karachi) and coast of Makran.
Chromite
It is metal which is used in making steel. Pakistan is the number one producer of chromite in the world. Foreign exchang is also earned by its export. Its deposits are at Muslim Bagh, Chaghai, Kharan (Balochistan), Malakand, Mohmand and Northern Waziristan (N.W.F.P.)
Gypsum
It is a bright stone of white color. It is an important mineral wealth of our country. Its large deposits are available in Pakistan. It is used for making cement, chemical fertilizers and plaster of Paris. Moreover, it is also used in other countless small industries. The areas from where it is obtained include the district of Jhelum, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Quetta, Sibi, Loralai and Kohat. Its limited deposits are also found in Bahawalpur, Dadu, Thar and Dero Ismail Khan districts.
Copper
It is used in the manufacture of electric goods, particularly wires. In the olden days it was used for making coins and utensils only. The deposits of copper are discovered at various places in Balochistan and the N.W.F.P. The most important of them are at Sandak and Amori in the district of Chaghai (Balochistan).
Lime Stone
The deposits of Lime stone are found in various areas of our country. It is used for making cement, ceramics and in other related industries. Its main use is in the cement industry. There are many cement factories in places where lime stone is available in large quantities. For example Wah, Dandot, Daud Khel, Rohri, Hyderabad, Karachi etc. Lime stone is also used in construction work.
Marble
Marble of several kinds is found in our country. The best marble is found at Mulla Gori in the Khyber Agency. Moveover, marble is also found at Swabi(Mardan), Nowshera, Swat, Dir, Hazara, Gilgit and Chaghai areas. It is used in flooring of the buildings and fixed at walls for beautification. Mulit-color marble is in great demand in foreign countries.
Fire Clay
Strong bricks are made out of it which are generally used for making ovens for melting steel. Its deposits are found in sufficient quantity in the Salt Range and in Kal Chitta Hills. Apart from this, China clay is also available in Pakistan for manufacturing ceramics. Its deposits in Pakistan are at Swat, Hazara and Malakand areas in N.W.F.P. and Nagarparkar in Sindh. Pottery, Tiles and Sanitary items are manufactured by this clay.
Sulphur
It is used in chemical industries. Its deposits are mostly in Balochistan. Sulphur is also obtained from the districts of Jacobabad and Mardan. There are factories at Karachi and Quetta to refine it and make it suitable for chemical and industrial use.
Preservation of Mineral and Power Resources
Allah has graciously blessed us with mineral resources. If we do not use them wisely, carefully and with proper planning or it these are not properly preserved, these deposits may be consumed very soon. It is our national duty to save these minerals and energy resources from unnecessary use and wastage. Moreover, we should endeavour to explore our development plans. We can thus ensure an attractive and prosperous future for coming generations.
