Sindh's mineral sector open for investment: CM

Says potential exists to promote industrialisation, create employment

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reaffirmed his government's commitment to attracting investment in the province's vast mineral resources, saying the mining sector has enormous potential to promote industrialisation, strengthen energy security, create employment opportunities and accelerate economic growth.

Chairing a meeting at the CM House, he reviewed the potential of coal and other mineral resources, ongoing mining projects and investment opportunities for local and foreign investors.

Provincial Minister for Minerals Sardar Ali Shah briefed the CM on the province's mineral reserves, ongoing projects, investment potential.

Thar coal

Sindh's Thar Coalfield holds an estimated 175 billion tonnes of coal reserves, offering enormous potential for local energy production and industrial development.

The meeting was informed that these reserves contained energy equivalent to approximately 50 billion tonnes of oil (TOE), while coal-related gas resources were estimated at 2,000 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

The chief minister reviewed two major coal mining and power generation projects in Thar developed under the early-harvest projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Investment opportunities

The provincial minerals minister also briefed the meeting on investment opportunities in minerals other than coal, including granite, iron ore, marble, limestone, celestite, China clay, silica sand and salt extracted from lakes.

Granite deposits in Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, offer considerable potential for construction materials, decorative products and stone-cutting and polishing industries.

Iron ore reserves in Thatta, Jamshoro and Tharparkar could support steel-related industries, mineral exploration and raw material beneficiation projects. Similarly, marble deposits in Thatta and Jamshoro offer opportunities for the production of finished stone products.

Community development

The minerals minister cited Thar coal projects as examples of how mining activities could contribute to local prosperity through employment, education, healthcare, access to clean drinking water and infrastructure. Under Block-I, approximately 5,000 jobs have been created, with around 97% of the workforce belonging to Sindh.