165 million tonnes iron ore reserves found in Pakistan

In Pakistan, around 165 million tonnes of iron ore reserves in Chiniot-Rajua Saddat, Punjab, which is worth of USD 4.1 billion as per international standard and will fulfill the all the requirements if one million tones steel mill is established in the country according to Dr. Samar Mubarakmand who is Pakistan’s well known nuclear scientist as well the Chairman of Punjab Mineral Company. As per Chinese standard, the area contains iron ore reserves of 195 million tones. He further said that Pakistan requires only 2 MT steel annually whereas the Chiniot-Rajua Saddat will fulfill 40% needs of the country. Neighboring to this area, there’s another block of 60-70 kilometers, which contains gold and copper reserves, the bids for the meticulous valuation of the reserves of these treasurable metals will be issued. He also added that the documents have been handed over to Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister regarding the reserves of iron ore estimation and requesting for setting up the steel mill. The whole process took 3 to 4 years to complete. He also said that the place is not a belt of ant copper, iron or gold but years back due to eruption of volcanoes, there comes reserves of iron ore, copper and gold. He also outspread saying that the belts of gold, copper and iron will travel from Xinjiang, China to North Waziristan and Baluchistan and then passes to Afghanistan. Further adding up a point that after a Geological Survey of Pakistan in late 60s and 70s, the reserves had been identified first in this area, and that the mountains in this area contained red stones. Whether the red stones exist but the area itself is full of mineral reserves and is reaffirmed by Punjab Mineral Department.

• [Editor:janita]