Mineral development profile of North West Frontier Province and the role of Directorate General Mines and Minerals in the mineral resources development
Abstract
North West Frontier Province (NWFP) is considered to be a prospective geological domain for a variety of mineral potentials, such as (i) Dimension stones (ii) Gemstones (iii) Industrial non-metallic minerals, (iv) Metallic minerals and (v) Fuel/Energy minerals, Occurrence of vast resources of ordinary stones for use in construction industry, are in addition to these. Major resources include marble, granite, gemstones, phosphate, nepheline syenite, limestone, clay, silica sand, soapstone, chromite and iron as well as metallic minerals including gold and base metals. Occurrences of coal have also been reported along a prospective belt in the southern part of N. W.F.P.
As an institutional reform, the government of N.W.F.P., created the Directorate General Mines and Minerals (DGMM), in August 2001 by integrating the three mineral related agencies (i.e. Mineral Wing of Sat-had Development Authority, Mineral Wing of Directorate of Industries Commerce and Mineral Development and Inspectorate of Mines and Labor Welfare, in line with the National Mineral Policy, 1995). This is with the aim to provide one-window facilities to attract as well as to facilitate national and overseas investment in the mineral sector of the province.
Based on the exploratory and developmental activities of the government of N.W.F.P., the DGMM has so far granted more than 1400 mining concessions under N.W.F.P., Mining Concession Rules 1976 The DGMM has established GIS-RS laboratory as a tool for mineral information and management system. DGMM has also established a well-equipped Mineral Testing Laboratory (MTL) to facilitate the mineral sector in testing and analyses of samples including facilities for environmental research, related to mining industry.
Mineral industry of NWFP has tremendous potential to attract investment in exploration, development and mining. However, this warrants human resource development to have the capability of environment-friendly development of mineral resources.
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