Kalabagh: Chinese firm to set up steel mill

Company to utilise local iron-ore deposits.

ISLAMABAD: A Chinese firm, Amlong has shown interest in setting up a steel mill with a capacity of one million tons at Kalabagh, to utilise local iron ore deposits, said an Engineering Development Board (EDB) statement issued on Wednesday.

The company officials have already held a meeting with the ministry of industries and production.

On the directives of the ministry of industries and production, EDB gave a detailed presentation on the iron-ore deposits available at Makarwal and Chichali and other raw materials available in the same vicinity to the company’s officials.

The delegation showed keen interest in the project and requested CEO, EDB, Aitazaz A Niazi to arrange a visit to the site. Accordingly, a seven- member delegation led by SM Adil Shah, General Manager, EDB visited Makarwal and Chichali iron ore deposits on January 10-11.

The proven reserves at Kalabagh iron ore deposit, which is the largest one in Pakistan, are around 350 million tons. In addition, the iron ore deposits in Makarwal range, which are spread over an 83-kilometre belt up to Pezu district in Bannu, are estimated to be around 600 million tons.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2011.