Sindh CM vows to promote investment in vast mineral resources

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Wednesday that his government would seek domestic and foreign investment in the province’s coal and other mineral resources. Business Recorder reported that a meeting at the CM House reviewed mining activity, investment prospects and plans for sustainable development.

The province’s Thar coalfield holds 175 billion tonnes of reserves. The two projects reviewed, SECMC and SSRL, have respective mining capacities of 11.2 million and 7.8 million tonnes a year, and power generation capacities of 1,980 MW and 1,320 MW. The briefing also identified opportunities in minerals including granite, iron ore, marble and limestone, with the government seeking investment in processing and manufacturing rather than extraction alone.

The meeting covered employment and community facilities associated with the projects, along with environmental safeguards and supporting infrastructure. Shah also highlighted possible coal briquetting and coal-to-urea production, and the proposed Thar rail link intended to carry coal to industries across the country.