Sindh government will grant around 60 percent of granite exploration licenses and mining leases in Nangar Parkar to only those companies which invest at least $40 million in projects.
Officials in Sindh Mines & Mineral Development Department told Business Recorder here on Friday that the department had taken this decision after promulgation of Sindh Mining Concession (Granite) Order 2007, for the grant of exploration licenses and mining lease of granite in Thar. The sources said that 20 percent of granite exploration licenses would be granted to local investors while same number of licenses were reserved for firms whose leases were cancelled.
All the earlier granite leases have been cancelled as the lessees were processing granite by using explosive material, which badly damages the deposits, they said. "Under the new policy no firm would be allocated more than 50sqm area for mining." The sources said that firms were invited to submit their formal request to obtain the site plan of the required area.
Sindh government, after demarcation of the area by Directorate, Mines and Mineral Development and technical personal of the concerned company will start allocating area to the companies. In the initial phases the concerned firms would determine suitable quality and quantity of granite which could be economically and safely mined, handled and transported, the sources said.