Feuds stymie growth of Mohmand marble mining
Prolonged land disputes and lack of interest from the district administration mar the marble mining sector in K-P’s Mohmand tribal district.
All the three sub-divisions of the district including Upper Mohmand, Lower Mohmand and Baizai are rich in minerals and have a huge potential.
Due to frequent ownership disputes, mining could not be carried out smoothly, depriving locals of millions of rupees in revenue each year.
According to a survey, there are 131 registered mines across the district out of which 84 are marble quarries. Out of these 84 quarries, only 65 are functional while 23 remain non-functional.
There are 21 nephrite mines in Mohmand out of which only seven are functional and 14 are closed. Only five chromite mines are in working condition out of the nine.
“Around 131 mines are registered with the government after the approval of the locals. But the biggest problem is the ensuing tussle on the ownership of these mines between the local clans,” said a local elder. “As per the normal procedure, a grand jirga of the local clan is called by the district administration to resolve prevailing disputes but no solution could be found. When one group approves the mining lease, the second group begins protesting against it,” said a local elder while talking to The Express Tribune, adding that this only discourages investors who don’t like any intervention during mining.
“The investors often try to run away with their capital and investment. In short, the mining sector despite its huge potential is of little use for the locals,” he said.
Another elder said that several press conferences are held each week in the Mohmand Press Club in which district administration is blamed for taking bribes in mining leases.
“Ziarat’s super white marble is known for its fine texture and is known internationally. It is found in Safi Tehsil. Similarly Speenky Tangi in Baizai also produces marble that is famous throughout the world. Nephrite was discovered in Prang Ghar which is of high quality,” he said, adding that local clans are paid royalty and thousands of locals are employed in the mining sector too.
A local official familiar with the matter hoped that the merger with K-P will now change the situation.
“Previously it was part of Fata where government had little control. We hope that now the situation will improve with the passage of time. Technically speaking the owner of the land should have no say in the lease agreement as minerals are considered government property and the owner is paid a rent for his land to compensate him for his loss of income from the land,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2021.