Mining Minerals Punjab govt to invest Rs800 billion

LAHORE: The Punjab government has allotted Rs800 million to explore mineral and ore mines across Punjab by the provincial government. Sources said on Wednesday that Pakistan had huge mines and ores but because of a lack of modern technology, the country could not explore hidden potential areas. Last year, the government had undertaken nine schemes in the mining sector but there was little progress. During the current fiscal year, sources said, the government intended to establish a mining estate in Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab, Chakwal and Mianwali while a feasibility study of iron mines in Chiniot and Dera Ghazi Khan is to be conducted. It is reported that iron exists in these areas in abundance.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2011.