Islamabad: Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) Director General Dr Imran Khan has revealed that Pakistan currently sits upon Copper, Iron and Gold ores worth one trillion US dollars.
Dr Khan said that there are various locations in Pakistan where precious metals and gems are embedded deep within the ground. He said that Reko Diq alone has more than five billion tonnes of copper and gold reserves.
A Chinese company currently working on SAINDAK project is excavating 150,000 tonnes of copper, 2.8 tonnes of silver and 1.5 tonnes of gold per year. Dr Imran Khan revealed that the coal deposits in Thar carry 175.5 billion tonnes. Swat and Hunza are also rich in emerald and ruby reserved respectively.
The committee recommended the Ministry of Petroleum Secretary to allocate additional funds for the concerned departments. The committee also decided that GSP should be allowed for the exploration for further reserves. Dr Khan said that Paksitan is currently operating its fields with obsolete rigs; he therefore urged the allocation of new rigs as well.
The committee also raised concerns on the theft and pilferage of oil and gas reserves currently prevailing in the districts of Kohat and Karak and urged the Government to take strict measures against them.
