By Faiza Tehseen Islamabad, April 04 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan is home to superb quality marble but it is yet to make it a potential source of foreign exchange earning, as the technology being used in its mining is outdated and obsolete, according to WealthPK. Talking exclusively to WealthPK, Haroon Rasheed, Director of Mining [South Region], Mohmand Dada Minerals Mining Company, said internationally marble blocks of 15 to 20 cubic meters were required, but Pakistan could not meet this demand, as 80 to 85 percent of the mined marble breaks into splinters/small pieces during the traditional blasting process. “It is due to the use of traditional blasting process that the demand for our superb quality big marble blocks has not increased in the international market. We can exploit big chunks of marble in a proper form through mechanized mining,” said Haroon. Mechanized mining is expensive but fruitful in the long run. There are around 2,000 marble mines from Gilgit to Chagai out of which less than 50 [mines] are employing mechanized mining methods. Pakistan has to craft a tactful and secure mining policy to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). In the same way, local contract enforcement under a well-defined framework is a must. Lack of a proper framework is a great hurdle to keep big players from investing in this sector. Removal of this hurdle will help operationalize the marble mines of Hunza, Gilgit and Baltistan. The government must include a mining infrastructure building fees in the mining license fee like in other countries. All these are aspects of both mechanised and traditional mining, he said. “It is true that mechanized mining is capital-intensive, but it covers the expenses because of proper productivity and less wastage. The government can help the traditional miners to switch from the less productive ways to proper and more productive ones. The government can help the miners in adopting mechanised mining in financial and joint venture aspects,” said Haroon. Talking to WealthPK, geologist Taj Muhammad from Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), said, “The blasting practices in mining are depriving Pakistan of 80 to 85% of precious marble. So, it is the absolute need of the time to replace all the old stuff with absolute mining technology/mechanised mining.’’ He said Pakistan was endowed with huge marble deposits. This sector, he added, was capable of paving way for better economic solutions. It is also a part of Pakistan’s mineral transformation plan ‘Vision 2025 to utilize the full potential of this sector. It will lead to economic growth, and an increase in jobs and GDP, etc. “Outdated mining equipment must be replaced with modern ones. It will bring innovation in this sector in mining, polishing, cutting, carving, grading, processing, value addition etc. In the same way, to attract foreign investment, easy and investor-friendly policies must be devised. This will help attract well-known global companies to consider Pakistan as a potential mining region. China, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Brazil and many other countries are successfully using mechanised marble mining. Skilled work force is another point to consider to get better mining outputs. In this regard, Pakistan can hire a team of experts from all over the world to train its team. Proper financing and budgeting from government will add more to uplift this sector,” Taj said. Dominant marble producing areas in Pakistan were Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Though marble is also found in Sindh, the most famous and high in demand is the white-coloured ‘Ziarat marble’, he said. “For export quality, few areas in Chitral and Mohmand Agency are famous for White Ziarat marble. In Balochistan, the most sought-after variety is onyx that is found in abundance in Khuzdar and Chagai. However, to benefit properly from this treasure, mechanized mining is the only way to meet the international standard size”. To know more about mechanized mining, WealthPK talked to Trade & Commerce Committee Convener from All Pakistan Marble Industries Association (APMIA) Shoaib Sultan. Sultan said the commercial value of a block decreases when it is mined through blasting, while in mechanized mining, the chances of waste are too low. “For promotion of this sector, the state-run Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) is not practically showing any positivity. The equipment related to mechanized mining was imported mostly from Italy but now Iranian equipment is also available in the market which is comparatively cheaper. The Trade Development Association of Pakistan (TDAP) is playing a good role. Pakistani marble is matchless in quality but too low in demand internationally. The reason is that international size demand cannot be regularly fulfilled through the traditionally mined marble,” said Shoaib. Secretary General of All Pakistan Marble Industries Association (APMIA) Masud Gillani said the government had not prioritized this sector. He said 17% subsidy was granted for import of equipment especially related to mechanized mining but it was removed. “Proper government support is needed to promote/train miners, artisans, retailers and exporters related to this sector in multiple aspects i.e., use of modern equipment in mining, cutting, polishing, value addition, marketing. This sector can be made superbly productive like textile units only through little strategic planning. The trend of mechanised mining will increase quality and production level.”