The Directorate of Mine and Minerals NWFP has reactivated mining in two emerald mines in the province after 10 years. The two emerald areas at Gujjar Killi and Shamozai in district Swat were auctioned in February 2007 for Rs 44million and Rs 95 million respectively. The third most prominent area for emerald at Fiza Gat, Mingora is being auctioned shortly.
Talking to Business Recorder, Director General (DG) Mines and Minerals NWFP Engineer Mian Farooq Iqbal said that during the last fours years the exploration promotion division (EPD) of the DGMM has completed the first pass exploration coverage of northern part of NWFP over an area of 40,000 square kilometer for gold and base metals anomalies. The project, he said, have identified 34 targets areas for follow-up exploration to attract investment.
Exploration of Swat emerald belt by identifying additional emerald prospects along the belt in the vicinity of known deposits and exploration of gemstones in Chitral and project has made new discoveries of gemstones (aquamarine and tourmaline) in Garam Chashma, Kalash and Darosh localities.
The project also includes evaluation of marble and granite potential in the NWFP and has estimated the marble resources to the tune of 3 billion tones in addition to their dimensional stone resources ie granite etc of abundant occurrence.
The directorate has also established Gem Testing Section in MTL to facilitate the exploration, mining and trading of gemstone in the province, strengthening of mineral processing section in MTL to facilitate the studies on processing of metallic minerals.
Similarly, it has also established resource mapping section and information services and promotion by acquiring the latest techniques of GIS and RS techniques. This will strengthen the EPD for systematic exploration and assessment of mineral resources in the province with a view to facilitate the regulation of mineral development and private investment (local, international and multinational.
The provincial government, he said, has also notified the NWFP Mining Concession Rules 2005 entrusting the Directorate General of Mines and Minerals with responsibilities of granting mining concessions for Minor Minerals. A separate wing has been established to deal the affairs of Minor Minerals to facilitate the process of expedient grant of minor mineral cases.
The wing is imparting commendable results besides being severely deficient with support staff. "The directorate has effectively achieved the fiscal targets and the wing is poised to given better results provided, it is strengthened accordingly," the DG MM added.
The Safety Division of DGMM has initiated a scheme in the year 2004-05 for establishment of a Mines Rescue, Safety & Training Station in Jalozai, District Nowshera at a cost of Rs 34.2725 million to fulfil the requirements of the availability of skilled and trained mining crew.
The scheme, he said, would serve effectively in providing training facilities on modern and safe mining methods, mine ventilation, mine support, short firing, rescue operations and first aid to supervisors/miners for safe mining in the underground mines.
The facility, he added would impart training to 200 miners annually. The Directorate of the Mines and Minerals, he said on the directives of the provincial government while considering the peculiar strategic location, traditional environment and immense mineral potential framed new rules in line with the NMP-1995 through notifying the NWFP Mining Concession Rules-2005.
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