GSP plans 3D mineral survey in Sindh, Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) will launch a Rs663 million 3D mineral survey in potential areas of Sindh and Balochistan to assess metallic mineral reserves of iron, copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum, officials said on Tuesday.

"The project, scheduled to start on July 1, 2017, will complete in four years.

The survey will be incorporated in the Public Sector Development Programme 2017-18 as it has already been approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources," they told APP.

The survey would be carried out at two prospective sites, including Moti Jo Wandio in district Tharparkar of Sindh, and Mashkichah in district Chaghi of Balochistan, to evaluate potential economic mineral resources, they added.

The project areas fall in the Pre-Cambrian Shield Rock and Chaghi Magmatic Arc, which have high potential of metallic and non-metallic minerals.

The sources informed that the survey department has demanded for an allocation of Rs271.684 million in the next fiscal year for 3D mineral exploration for geological and geophysical prospecting, chemical analysis on 'XRD, XRF, EPMA, ICPMS, SEM etc, at Geoscience Advance Research Laboratory GSP, Islamabad and drilling at the selected sites.

Answering a question, they said the project would help develop a reliable data base, which would be utilised for geological/geophysical interpretation and techno-economic aspects in both the areas.

The sources said mining activities would start resulting in utilisation of the hidden natural resources and enormous economic activities. Besides, publication of 3D model maps and reports on the mineral potential of the region would attract foreign direct investment in the mineral sector, boosting its share in overall gross domestic product of the country, the officials said.