In line with the policy of provincial government to promote the mining of minerals in the province, the Department of Mines and Minerals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has completed regional geochemical exploration covering an area of 70,000 km in the northern and southern parts of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
More than 69 kilometres of roads have also been constructed to provide accessibility to minerals bearing areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in an effort to boost the economic growth of the Province, according to official statement issued on Sunday. In a report issued by the Minerals Development Department, a total of Rs 2,162.35 Million have been generated in 3 years ie: from 2013 till May 2016, whereas the total revenue generation during the 5 years of the previous government stood at Rs 2,785.4 Millions.
For promotion of large scale mining, 15 exploration blocks of metallic minerals including precious minerals and gemstones have been identified and delineated in District Chitral whereas 7 exploration blocks have been identified and delineated in Hazara division.
The present government has initiated a series of steps for the development of this crucial sector in addition to promote transparency and controlling illegal mining in the province. New techniques have been introduced for streamlining the mining concession data including digitalisation of data collection, its compilation and integrating all the information into Geographic Information System (GIS).
According to the Director Planning for Minerals Development Department Syed Bilal Khisro, online applications & licensing system has been introduced and a website has been launched in this regard. Additionally, a state of the art and one of its kind Mining Cadastral System and fully equipped GIS system will be completed within the current fiscal year to further improve transparency and provide a helpful investment climate.
In order to control the illegal mining in the Province, Monitoring teams have been set-up at the Secretariat level. A total of 121 mining concessions have been cancelled due to violation of terms and conditions. Auction proceedings have also been made transparent by holding open auctions in the presence of press and media, eliminating chances of corruption and collusion.
According to Syed Bilal Khisro, the KP government is pioneering a Metallurgic Research institute covering academic skills development and commercial services for value addition of precious and semi- precious metallic minerals. On simmilar lines, a Gems and Gemological Institute has also been initiated to deliver as a hub of commercial activity for the entire region.
Additionally, PC1 and II schemes have been approved by the DDWP for the year 2015-16 for establishment of a Metallurgy Research Center, Renovation of Mines & Minerals Directorate building at a cost of Rs 18.6 Million, establishment of Gems and Gemological center in Peshawar, construction of access roads to minerals bearing areas in KP at a total cost of Rs 215 Million. Rs 150 Million have also been approved for study of Economic Evaluation of Metallic Minerals in Malakand & Hazara regions in addition to allocating Rs 36 Million for feasibilities, research studies and consultancies. In order to control scarcity of Human resources, the Finance Department has sanctioned appropriate staff in the Directorate General Mines and minerals for controlling illegal mining in the province. 2 litigation officers have been appointed for quick disposal of court cases.
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