MINERAL RESOURCES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Students should be able to:
• Identify the main locations of limestone, gypsum and rock salt extraction
from a map, and understand their uses
• Identify the main metallic and non-metallic mineral resources of
Pakistan, and in what quantities they: – are extracted – exist as reserves
• Understand the extent to which these can be exploited
• Describe the environmental problems caused by mineral extraction
• Evaluate the benefits of developing mineral resources and understand
the sustainability of extraction
• Identify the main imported minerals, where they come from, and in what
quantities.
 MINERAL RESOURCES

• The natural inorganic / organic substances found in the

interior of earth and possesses a definite chemical
composition and definite physical and chemical properties
are known as minerals. Minerals have following features.
FEATURES:
• They are solids. They are formed naturally in the earth.
• They are not alive or made of living things.
• They have definite shape.
 MINERAL RESOURCES

• Mineral Exploration

To discover the metallic or non metallic minerals from the earth.

• Mineral Extraction

Taking out the minerals from the earth by different methods.

• Mineral Exploitation

Means to utilize the available mineral resources for development

purposes.
 TYPES OF MINERALS
• Metallic Minerals

• Non-metallic minerals
 TYPES OF MINERAL
Metallic Minerals
• Metallic minerals are those which are made up of a metallic
compound e.g. Iron, copper.
• The pure metal can be separated by heating. Mineral
resources are non-renewable although many can be recycled
and used again.
• Though we obtain most minerals from quarries and mines,
the seabed and sea-water are also rich in minerals.
 1.METALLIC MINERALS
CHARACTERISTICS

• Economically more valuable e.g. Gold.

• Generally hard, tough and shiny e.g. Iron.

• Can change shape without breaking e.g. copper

• Can be stretched and compressed e.g. Iron

• Many are good thermal and electrical conductors e.g. copper

• More reactive with water and acid e.g. copper

 1.METALLIC MINERALS
1. Chromite (Uses)

• It gives hardness and electrical resistance to steel.

• It is used for bridges and railway carriages.

• It is used as lining in metallurgical furnaces and for making engineering

tools and stainless steel.

• It is found in large quantity in Zhob Valley and Muslim Bagh

(Balochistan).

• It has fairly large deposits and extraction 134 million tons (2011-
12).
CHROMITE
 1.METALLIC MINERALS
Iron Ore (Uses)
• It is used in steel making, construction and in transport
industry.
• Iron ore has 430 million tonns reserves and extraction
274211 million tons (2011-12).
• It can be divided into four groups according to grade.
• They are
i. Magnetitie
ii. Limonite
iii. Hematite
iv. Siderite
• It is found in Kalabagh, Chaghi, Langrial and Domal Nisar.
 IRON
.
 1.METALLIC MINERALS
3.Copper (Uses)

• It is used to make copper wire and other electrical

appliances specially switches, that carry current.

• It is also used in making Allays, water pipes and tanks.

• It is found at Sandak near chaghi.

Saindak Copper and Gold Mining Project
• Two Australian companies have explored the proven deposits of
copper, Gold and Silver in district Chagai.
• The Chinese Metallurgical Construction Company and two other
companies will do the extraction of metal for the next six years
on lease.
• The Chinese built the Saindak plant and also arranged for the
water supply.
• The German and French companies provided the power supply
system ensuring a power generation of 40 MGW at the plant site.
• The project will provide job opportunities to the skilled and
unskilled labour. According to an estimate there will be a turnover
of around $80 million a year.
 1.METALLIC MINERALS

4. Manganese (Uses)

• It is used in making dry cell and paints.

• It is found in Zhob, Lasbella and Galdanian (Balochistan).

• It has large reserves and extraction is 2378 million tons

(2011-12).
 1.METALLIC MINERALS
5. Bauxite (Uses)

• Alluminium is mainly obtained from bauxite and is a valuable

metal.

• It is used in utensils, tins, cans and many other products.

• It is found in Muzaffarabad.

• It has reserves of over 74 million tons and extraction

166565 million tons (2011-12).
 1.METALLIC MINERALS
6. Celestite (Uses)

• It is used in tracer bullets, fireworks, ceramics, paints and

plastics.

• It is found in Dandot.

• It has moderate deposits and extraction 1855 million tons

(2011-12).
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
• Are those which are made up of a non metallic compound e.g.
Limestone, Gypsum.
• Characteristics (Non-Metallic Minerals)
• Economically less valuable except power resources e.g. oil, gas
and coal e.g. rock salt.
• Softer, rough and may not shine e.g. clay.
• Breaks away when shape is changed except oil and gas.
• Cannot be stretched or compressed except natural gas e.g.
gypsum.
• Poor thermal and electrical conductors e.g. rock salt.
• Lees reactive with water and acid except limestone and salt
e.g. clay.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
1. Rock Salt (Uses)
• Rock salt is white and pink in color.
• It is used for the manufacturing of Soda Ash, Bicarbonate of
soda, Caustic soda and sodas for Laundry, Textile, Food
processing and Tanning industry.
• Important mines are Khewra, Warcha and Kalabagh.
• It has over 100 million tonns reserves and extraction 1445
million tons (2011-12).
• For People
• Used in cooking / to flavor food.
• Used as a preservative.
ROCK SALT
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
• 2. Gypsum (Uses)
• For Industry
• It is used in the manufacturing of paints, rubber, plaster of
paris
• Raw material in cement and fertilizer industry.
• It has 350 million tons reserves and 552 million tons extracted
(2011-12).
• For Agriculture
• Spread on saline soils to aid reclamation.
• Making fertilizer.
• Cement is used for lining the canals.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Limestone
• 3. Limestone (Uses)
• For Industry
• It is a main raw material for cement industry and cement is
used for building the factories and construction industry, also
used in the manufacturing of Lime. Bleaching powder.
• Glass. Soap. Paper and paints. Chemical industry. Flux for iron
and steel industry.
• It is found widespread in Pakistan e.g. Daud khel, Zinda pir,
Kot Digi, Harnai, Ganjotaker, Mangopir and Murlihills.
Limestone has very large deposits and 25014 million tons
extracted 2011-12.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Limestone
• For Agriculture
• Lime is used as a fertilizer.
• Lime reduces acidity / salinity.
• Lime is painted onto the trunks of fruit trees to counteract
termites /attacks.
• Cement is used to build dams / line canals for irrigation.
• Cement may be used for road building / bridges which helps to
transport the raw material.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Limestone

Describe the distribution of limestone extraction in

Pakistan.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Limestone
• Q Rock salt and limestone are both ‘bulky goods’. What is
the cheapest form of transport for these goods?
• Ans. Railway.
• Q.Why is the supply of limestone to most areas of
Pakistan likely to be cheaper than that of rock salt?
• Ans. Does not have to travel so far.
• Quarried in many areas / more widely available.
• Q What is a mixture of rock salt and water called?
• Ans. Brine.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Marble
4. Marble (Uses)

• It is found in bands of white, grey, yellow and brown.

• It is used in buildings and for making chips for flooring and decorative
pieces.

• It is found at Chaghi, Thano Bula khan and Mullagori.

• Mullagori is a popular place for the extraction of white marble.

• This type of marble is exported to other countries.

• Marble has very large deposits and 758 million tons extracted 2011-12.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Sulphur
5. Sulphur (Uses)

• Used to manufacture sulphuric acid, explosive materials,

paints, dyes, pulp, fertilizers and is used in the refining of
petroleum.

• It is found in Sanni and Koh-e-sultan.

• Sulphur has 0.8 million tons deposits and 19919 million tons
extracted 2011-12.
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Sulphur
• 6. Clays (Uses)
• It can be differentiated into China Clay, Fire Clay and Fuller’s
Earth.
• i. China Clay (Uses)
• It is used in ceramic industry and found in shah deri. It has 4.9
million tons deposits and 38 million tons extracted 2011-12.
• ii. Fire Clay
• It is used in refractories for insulation and preparation of bricks
and also used in making pottery and found in salt ranges. It has over
100 million tons deposits and 254 million tons extracted 2011-12.
• iii. Fuller’s Earth
• It is used in steel mills, oil drilling and oil refining and found in
Sulaiman ranges. It has fairly large deposits and 17 million tons
 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Soapstone

7. Soapstone (Uses)

• It is found in the form of stone and then crushed to make

powder.

• It is used as a filler in soap, ceramics and face powder.

• It is found Sherwan (Abbotabad).

 2.Non-METALLIC MINERALS
Barite
• 8. Barite (Uses)

• Used in oil industry and for manufacturing the paints, glass

and insecticides

• Barite reserves are found in Kundi (Balochistan)

 Importance of Minerals
• Increases GNP i.e. 0.5 %.

• Raw material for industry.

• Employment opportunities.

• Rock salt and marble is exported.

• Save / earn foreign exchange.

• Power for industry.

• Fuel for transport.

 MINING
• Mining Processes

• Mining is a process of digging rocks and minerals from the

earth. Minerals are found at different depths.

• Methods of Mining.

• There are two methods of mining.

• Open Cast Mining
• Underground Mining
• i. Adit Mining
• ii. Shaft Mining
 MINING
1. Open Cast Mining
• It is a type of surface mining in which mineral resources are
removed from the earth through large holes or pits dug into
the surface.
• Some minerals like coal and iron often lie near the surface.
Open cast mining scoops up these minerals from near the
surface.
• The minerals bearing rocks are stripped off by giant
excavators and power shovels, which then loaded into lorries
and railway wagons to be carried away.
OPEN CAST MINING
OPEN CAST MINING
 MINING
• Advantages (Open Cast Mining)
• Easier access to materials
• Easier to transport material to the destination
• Cheaper
• Safer and faster
• No problem of ventilation
• Dangers and hazards are less as compare to underground mining.
• Disadvantages (Open Cast Mining)
• Destroy the landscape
• Destroy the natural habitat
• Air , water and Noise pollution
• Deforestation
 MINING
2. Adit Mining
• An adit is an opening or passage. Adit mining is done in hilly
areas where a mineral seams
• Minerals are exposed on a hillside.
• Horizontal shafts into hillside
• Possibly several shafts at different levels.
• Pick and shovel.
• Transported by trucks / trolleys.
ADIT MINING
ADIT MINING
 MINING

• 3. Shaft Mining

• Main shaft (vertical or sloping).

• Tunnels / side shafts along seems.

• Pick and shovel.

• Lifted to surface.

• Transported by trucks / trolleys.

MINING
 MINING

• Problems (Underground Mining)

• Ventilation and underground transport problem.

• Dangerous gases may produced which are dangerous for

workers life.

• Due to use of explosive material, the roofs of tunnel may be

collapse.
 MINING

• Problems in Mineral Sector

• Lack of finance.

• Lack of experts.

• Low priority given to mineral extraction.

• Lack of technical knowledge.

• Inaccessible mineral deposits.

 Effects of Mining on Environment

• Starting extraction of minerals

• Vegetation cut down resulting in soil exposure

• Natural landscape deformed due to construction of roads and

miners’ houses

• Rock blasting or digging of earth.

• Depressions caused by subsidence of land may become

flooded.

• Noise pollution and ground vibration from blasting.

 Effects of Mining on Environment

• Traditional mining methods are hazardous to the health of

miners.

• Land pollution due to mining waste.

• Water supply polluted from mineral waste.

• Air pollution from dust and smoke.

• Environmental loss
 Ways to reduce the Effects of Mining on Environment

• Tree planting

• Laws / legislation

• Land restoration

• Personal health and safety measures

• Medical check ups.

 BENEFITS TO LOCAL PEOPLE
• Local People

• Employment opportunities in mines

• Higher / more stable incomes

• Higher living standards / settled lifestyle

• Business opportunities for local people / ancillary industries /

service

• Improvement to local infrastructure such as roads / electricity

 BENEFITS TO NATIONAL ECONOMY

• National economy

• Raw material for industry and agriculture

• Revenue / taxes for government

• Increase exports and foreign exchange

• Reduces national debt / deficit

• Reduces imports.
 Protection of the Environment from Mining
Hazards)

• In order to minimize the environmental degradation due to

mining, the following points should be considered.
• 1. Mining should be done on scientific lines to maximize the
benefits and minimize the negative effects.
• 2. When mining is done in an area, special precautions must be
taken to prevent environmental losses.
• 3. The land should be leveled and the depressions should be
filled in after the mining activity to avoid deformation.
• 4. All the mining waste including gases, fumes and semi-solid
waste should be properly treated before their final disposal.
 Protection of the Environment from Mining Hazards)

• The people involved should be provided with proper protective

clothing to prevent the effects of gases and dust.

• The area around the mine should be properly planted with

trees so that the atmosphere may remain healthy and when
minors come out of the mines, they may have fresh air to
breathe

• Water treatment plants should be set up to supply clean

 Protection of the Environment from Mining Hazards)

• In order to conserve the environment and prevent its

degradation there should be:

• Compulsory afforestation programmes near the mining

centers.

• Proper disposal of the mining waste products, better safety

measures in the mines.

• Improved working conditions for the miners.

 Policies and Measures (Development of
Mineral Resources)
• Geological Survey of Pakistan

It was opened in 1947 for the investigation and mapping of mineral deposits
in the country

• Oil and Gas Development Corporation (OGDC)

It was established 1961, to explore, develop, produce, refine and sell oil and
gas

• Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC)

It was established in 1974 for the exploration and marketing of all the
 Policies and Measures (Development of
Mineral Resources)
• Resources Development Corporation (RDC)
It was established in 1974 to investigate and develop copper
mines at Saindak (Baluchistan).
• Gemstone Corporation of Pakistan (GCP)
It was established in 1979 for investigation of gemstone
resources.
A number of Provincial organizations are coordinated with the
federal board namely Mineral Investment Facilities Board
(MIFB). These are responsible for exploration and utilization
of minerals. The provincial agencies include
 Policies and Measures (Development of
Mineral Resources)

• PMDC (Punjab Mineral Development Corporation).

• BDA (Baluchistan Development Authority).

• SDA (Sarhad Development Authority).

• SCDA (Sindh Coal Development Authority).

 Policies and Measures (Development of
Mineral Resources)
Importance of Mineral Resources For Pakistan
• Increase trade / exports / reduce imports
• Rise in GDP / GNP / increase the economy
• Increase employment
• Government earnings
• Foreign investment, industrialization / more industry
• Rural development, Better infrastructure
• Provides more fuel or raw material, Education / skills.
 Policies and Measures (Development of
Mineral Resources)
Problems Associated with Mining:

• Lack of funds, lack of machinery

• In remote areas

• Lack of infrastructure

• Competition from other countries

• Environmental damage

• Lack of skills / expertise.

 Sustainable Mineral Resources

• Sustainable Mineral Resources

The use of natural products and energy in a way that does not
harm the environment.
OR
The available mineral resources meet the needs of the present
and the future generation but not harm the environment.
 Sustainable Mineral Resources
• Sustainable Development and Mining

• Mining should be done on modern lines to maximize the

benefits and minimize the negative effects.

• The discharge of toxic substances and the release of heat,

which is harmful to environment should be strictly checked.

• Proper training should be given to workers.

• The land should be leveled and the depressions should be

 Sustainable Mineral Resources
• Hi-tech knowledge and experts should be available.

• Provision of infrastructure (transport, power, telephone lines,

water supply etc).

• Explore more mineral resources.

• Reprocess the mineral waste.

 Sustainable Mineral Resources
• Unsustainable Mineral Resources
• The available mineral resources could not meet the needs of
the present and the future generation but harm the
environment. e.g.
• Deforestation
• Pollution i.e air, water and noise
• Soil erosion
• Lack of infrastructure.
• Corruption
 Ways to Improve GDP from mining
(Mineral resources)
The total domestic output of the country including exports
called Gross Domestic Product.
The GDP in mineral sector can be increased
• Mining should be done on modern lines to maximize the
benefits and minimize the negative effects.
• Proper training should be given to workers.
• Provision of infrastructure (transport, power, telephone lines,
water supply etc).
• Hi-tech knowledge, machinery and experts should be available.