Govt plans to tap into mineral resources

CM says competitive bids will be invited from mining companies

QUETTA: Balochistan Mineral Resources Development Board (BMRDB) has decided to review provincial mineral policy 2002, announcing new reforms for boosting the mineral sector.

Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan who has additional charge as Chairman of BMRDB chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday reviewing provincial government’s accord with mining companies and procedure of issuing licence for mining exploration.

Secretaries from mining, finance, law departments, Balochistan Mines director, and government officials were present on the occasion.

The representatives unanimously decided to increase mining exploration fees and stressed upon prioritising province’s interest while issuing licences to mining companies intending to explore natural resources in Balochistan.



They stressed the need for reforms in provincial mining policy, 2002.

Addressing the first meeting of the board, the CM said the previous government didn’t call any gathering of the board which raises question over their performance.

Kamal said: “Through this forum we could make decisions for protection of our natural resources, our government held meeting to review the mining industry of Balochistan”.

During the meeting, exploration of Pyrite, Zinc and other natural resources in Khuzdar was reviewed. It was decided to call competitive bids from mining companies in the better interest of the specific area.

It was agreed that bidding announcement for licence would be made through public advertisements in newspapers, which would allow more companies to take part in exploration process.

Fortunately, the CM said, Balochistan has been blessed with a surfeit of natural resources but without sincere will and mechanism real benefits could not be availed.

“The province can get Rs15 to 20 billion by increasing exploration licence fee, which could enhance the royalty of provincial mining department,” Kamal said. He also directed the mining department to present its recommendation in the board.

The other day in a meeting with the delegation of opposition leaders, Chief Minister Jam Kamal said the provincial government intends to walk with the opposition for the better interest of Balochistan, pledging that suggestions and recommendations from opposition for developing Quetta will be given importance.

The delegation included Akhtar Hussain Langove, Asghar Tareen, Molvi Noorullah, Mir Younus Zehri, and Muhammad Akbar.



 

During the meeting, the prevailing issues in health and education sectors of Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Quetta and Khuzdar were discussed.

The CM assured that the provincial government would address the issues of opposition. He highlighted that the government seeks to take opposition members into confidence in all provincial decisions.

Kamal said: “Recommendations and suggestions by opposition for the betterment of our province would be included in government’s agenda”.
Addressing public issues is the joint duty of treasury and opposition, he added.

He also consulted opposition’s suggestions regarding eradicating encroachments from Sariyab and Joint Road.