Government to invite foreign companies to explore granite

The government is planning to lure foreign investments for exploration and setting up plants in mines and mineral sector in the country specially in Sindh where approximate one billion tonnes of granite had been identified, sources in mines and mineral department told Business Recorder.
In this regard the department was trying to participate in an exhibition in Italy through export promotion bureau (EPB) and display there the granite samples. This would attract foreign investors because the available quality of granite is rare in the world, sources said.
The department would focus on Italian investors because Italy is the world leader in marble, granite and stone sector and has expertise in the industry. The Italians are also equipped with modern technology for the mine exploration, sources said.
Granite rock formation is found in the Nagarparkar region of Thar. These formations are 1,450 to 1,500 feet high and cover an area of about 40 square miles with estimated about one billion tonnes. The granite is available in the wide range of colours and textures.
Sindh government has allocated Rs 32 million in current fiscal to carry out a feasibility report of the exploration. The report would contain study of the area, shades of granite (pink, grey, etc), financial study of the project.
The purpose of the report is to sort out exact reserves in the province because past studies gave estimations but did not define the actual quantity and locations, sources said.
The mine and mineral department had also made a policy and sent it to Sindh governor for approval. The policy would bound the exploration and mining companies to also participate in the development process of the area.
In the past the government had granted lease to several companies for the mining and exploration in Nagarparkar but they did not follow the code of conduct and remained indulged in their profits, sources said and added that the leases were cancelled due to inability.
It was also mentioned in the policy that the companies would also devise mining methods that the ecology of the area should not be destroyed.
The companies should adopt a method of underneath mining that the Karoonjhar Range of mountain, which is granite, would not damage because there were some ponds for irrigation purposes.
Forest and wild life of the area should not be destroyed during mining and exploration, sources said.
The government intended to set up a Granite City at Mitthi and Jamshoro where all utilities and facilities would be provided.
An ordinance would be approved by Sindh governor that blast mining would not be allowed because several environmentalists have raised the issue that blast-mining method would destroy entire environment of the area, sources informed.