‘Production from Chiniot deposits from 2016’

LAHORE
Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Ch. Sher Ali Khan has said the Punjab government will be prepared hopefully in 2016 to produce iron ore from Chiniot reservoirs after the completion of its resource estimation and feasibility. He said the government was taking concrete steps for the exploration and development of industrial minerals including iron ore, coal, dolomite and other raw materials.
He said this while addressing the concluding session of the 4th International Minerals, Steel and Downstream Engineering Industries Conference and Exhibition Pakistan 2015 organised by the private steel mills sector on Thursday. Tariq Ijaz Chaudhry, CEO of Engineering Development Board, Riaz T. Chinoy, Chairman International Industries Limited, Yousaf Mirza, International Steel Ltd., Anjum Mahmood Butt, Chairman Pakistan Steel Linepipe Association, Iqbal Tariq, Chairman Pakistan Steel Melters Association, Khalid Javed, Chairman Pakistan Steel Rerolling Mills Association and others from steel mills industry attended the conference.
Minister Mines Ch. Sher Ali Khan said the development and progress of industry was linked with production of energy and Pakistan was facing shortage of energy causing low production. He said the Punjab government had started a number of projects to meet the demand of energy sector under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He said the Sahiwal Coal Power Project of 1200 MW and Pind Dadankhan Coal Power Project of 300 MW were under completion which would be functional with the local coal instead of imported coal.
Ch. Sher Ali Khan said the national and international investors would be invited to build steel mills at Chiniot with the local iron ore after its feasibility report which would enhance the economy of the country and also create thousands of job opportunities for local citizens. He said that in India 60 percent power production was made through coal energy while less than one percent electricity was produced with coal in Pakistan which was a serious concern.
The Punjab government is providing lucrative incentives and conducive atmosphere to the local and international investors for investment in energy and other industrial sectors under the public-private partnership.
Speakers from steel manufacturing industry and experts also expressed their views for promotion of industrial minerals and development of engineering industries at the conference.