Minister of State for Petroleum Mir Muhammad Naseer Mengal, secretary petroleum, directors general, minerals, geological survey of Pakistan and MD Pakistan mineral development corporation also attended the meeting.
Amanullah Jadoon said the country is endowed with vast natural potential of coal, coppers metal, iron, chromites and gemstones and underlined the need for making coordinated efforts between the centre and respective functionaries for speedy exploring the untapped mineral deposits. He said that the federal government would facilitate the mineral development activities to be carried out by the provinces, AJK, Fata, Northern Areas and would also provide technical and financial assistance.
The minister directed the DG geological survey of Pakistan to keep close interaction with the concerned authorities and hold regular meetings with them for gearing up the mineral development activities. He said that geo-data centre should be set up at all the provinces including AJK, Fata and Northern Areas aimed at transmitting the required information for identifying the mineral potential in the areas. He said that the government would encourage the prospective investors in the mineral projects and provide all out cooperation and guidelines in this regard.
The meeting was briefed about the updated progress on the development of mineral sector. It was informed that all-out efforts were being made to identify the mineral potential in the respective areas with the available geo data and expressed satisfaction over the pace of work on mineral development activities.
The DG (minerals) informed that investors from Korea, China and some other countries would visit Pakistan in next month and they have showed their keen interest in the mineral development projects.