ISLAMABAD: The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) has carried out surveys in Chitral and surrounding areas and identified presence of metallic minerals, including copper, chromite and Iron ore, suggesting detailed exploration for their quantification.
“A number of geological, geophysical and geochemical surveys have been carried out by the GSP in Chitral and surrounding areas. As a result, metallic minerals such as antimony/stibnite, chromite, copper, iron ore and lead/zinc ore have been discovered,” says an official document.
The deposits of around 0.6 million tons (MT) antimony/stibnite had been identified in Kring, Patrson and Awrith areas, approximately 6.5 million tons iron ore in Booni Zom, Dammel and Nissar localities.
Detailed exploration is required to assess the quantity of chromite, copper and lead/zinc ore. According to the document, the GSP remained engaged in exploration of metallic and other minerals through geological mapping in Chitral and surrounding areas under annual field projects.
Recently, the GSP conducted a project titled ‘Exploratory studies for metallic and non-metallic mineralization’ along Torkhow river and its surrounding areas in Upper Chitral.
“Field work has been completed, samples have been sent for laboratory analysis and report writing is in progress.” The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has granted several prospecting/exploration licences in Chitral for minerals including aluminum, antimony, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, platinum, silver and zin.
Besides, it launched a scheme for geological mapping of the province under the annual development programme.–APP