Amir Khan

The Government of Pakistan has set aside PKR150.560 million in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2022-23) for establishing National Minerals Data Centre (NDMC). According to an official familiar with the decision, the objective of the project is to collect and compile data of the mineral reserves in the country for investors’ and industrial exploitation.

He said that it will be a two-year project to be completed after consultations with all the Provincial Mines & Minerals Departments, Petroleum and Planning Divisions and Geological Survey of Pakistan. The official said that Pakistan is rich in mineral reserves and that there is urgent need for mapping the deposits of the country. Mineral resources contribute less than 1% to Pakistan’s GDP as against the global average of 2-8%.

“Therefore,” he said, “it is very important that accurate data on geological position and volume of reserves is gathered so that investors can be invited to invest in the sector.” He continued, “the project will see the development of Geographical Information System (GIS)-based integrated solutions and applications for the facilitation of investors and businesses who wish to invest in the sector.”

He added, “National Minerals Data Center will collect information on geological and geochemical maps, minerals’ sample analysis reports, airborne geophysical maps, areas granted and applied for mineral titles, roads and rail layers, geographical borderlines (province, district and town), and reserve areas like ‘strategic, forests and religious places.’” He concluded by saying that after the completion of the project, collected data will be compiled and published through the Centre’s web-portal for easy access. “The data will be updated and refined on a periodical basis,” he added.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk