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Discovery of metal ores to open new avenues of development: PM Nawaz greets nation on discovery of copper, iron, gold deposits
INP
CHINIOT – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that discovery of high quality metal ores deposits in Chiniot will not only bring prosperity in Pakistan but also to create new employment opportunities. Addressing a gathering here on Wednesday after getting a briefing on the discovery of iron ore deposits at Rajoia, around three kilometers south of Chiniot, Nawaz greeted the nation on the discovery of good quality copper, iron and gold deposits expressing his hope that it would go a long way in bringing prosperity to Pakistan. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Provincial Minister for Minerals Sher Ali, parliamentarians, the Chinese Metallurgical Corporation representatives and German consultants were also present on the occasion. Earlier, during a detailed briefing by Dr Samar Mubarakmand, the Punjab Mineral Company Chairman and representatives of the Chinese Metallurgical Company and German consultants, the prime minister was informed that there were indications of large copper deposits. It was suggested that there should be more focus on excavating copper as it has a much higher value in the international market as copper fetches 5000 dollars a tonne against 100 dollars a tonne for iron. The prime minister was informed that with the assistance of Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), a feasibility study had been completed in around nine-month time, whereas it was to be completed in 18 months. Nawaz evinced keen interest and asked a number of questions about the type and quality of deposits. He said that he was personally there to share the joy of moment and to share it with the entire nation. He was informed that studies were being conducted currently in 28 sq km of area, and initial findings showed that there was high probability of presence of good quality deposits in around 2000 sq km, particularly in south and south eastern parts of Chiniot. He was shown through graphs and 3-D models the details of the deposits and informed that there was also probability of finding copper and gold deposits in the area. The prime minister was informed that the MCC along with other international mineral exploration companies evinced desire to participate in the project and was declared successful. He lauded the expertise and hard work of the Pakistani metallurgical experts and scientists. He also lauded the German consultant firm GEOS for supervising the work. Later addressing a selected gathering, the prime minister said that he wished to address a huge gathering of Chiniot people, but the plan was curtailed owing to security reasons. He said that the Zarb-e-Azb was going ahead successfully under a National Action Plan and soon peace and tranquility would prevail. He said that Pakistan was confronting a number of challenges, including terrorism, extremism and poverty, and lack of basic infrastructure and facilities was one of the basic reasons for them. The prime minister said that ruling Pakistan was not a ‘bed of roses’, rather it was a big challenge and his government was bracing all the issues with courage, zeal, dedication and a commitment to bring about a positive change in Pakistan. He said that it was time that the entire government machinery works with sincerity, round the clock, to serve the masses. He said that the government's revenues had declined as the price of petroleum products dropped, but since the move was aimed at benefiting the masses, the government took the decision. He said that low prices of diesel would benefit the agriculture sector and lower prices of food items. He said major challenges for him were security, bringing peace to Pakistan and ending shortage of electricity and natural gas. He said that had the government enough funds; it would have worked on projects to provide 10,000MW electricity without any delay. He added that lack of funds was hampering government's efforts. He said that there was a need to have transparency at all levels of governance. Nawaz said lower fuel prices had led to decline in prices of everyday commodities. He added that the government was committed to providing good quality health, education and communication facilities to the masses at their doorsteps. He said that talks with Iran for the acquisition of natural gas were at an advanced stage, adding that negotiations were also underway on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. “It is Allah's blessings that under the lush green fields rich deposits of copper, iron and gold have been found, which will help Pakistan to get rid of the "begging bowl" for good,” the prime minister said. He said that Pakistan was rich in natural resources and deposits of copper, gold, coal were available in other provinces as well, which would also be explored. He said the raw material available in the area was also attractive for investment and invited foreign and local investors to come and set up steel industry in Chiniot. He hoped that it would provide jobs to around 100,000 people and bring about economic prosperity in the area. He said that Allah had endowed Pakistan with rich mineral resources, some of which had been found, while a large number still needed to be discovered. He regretted the past governments caused unnecessary delay in discovering the mineral deposits. However, he praised the present government of Punjab, headed by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for expediting the work at a fast pace. He expressed the hope that Chiniot would emerge on the world map as a favourite spot for international investors, adding that necessary infrastructure would be build well in advance for provision of better facilities. The prime minister was informed that the quality of iron ore deposits were equivalent to similar ones in Brazil, Russia and India, and had been estimated in thousands of tons. Samples had been tested from top laboratories of Canada and Switzerland, which confirmed the high quality of deposits. The Punjab chief minister termed the project a game-changer and said with Allah Almighty's help Pakistan had been endowed with a rich natural resource that would usher in an era of prosperity in the country. He said his government embarked on the project with full sincerity and commitment to find iron ore deposits, but the country was lucky to have found precious deposits of copper and gold. He attributed the great find to the transparent award of contracts and sincerity of purpose and said the entire funding for the project had been provided from the Punjab government, under the guidance of the prime minister. Dr Samar Mubarakmand, the Punjab Mineral Company chairman, said in general copper deposits were discovered along with gold and suggested that the area of research be expanded and divided among different companies for excavation and production.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk