Islamabad
The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) has planned to map 50 Toposheets of ‘outcrop area’ in Balochistan province for identification of minerals at a cost of Rs 127.595 million during a three-year period.
“The project has been submitted to the quarters concerned for its incorporation in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2020-2021), under which 50 geological mapping of Toposheets of Outcrop Area, out of 354 unmapped Toposheets, of Balochistan will be carried out,” according to an official document available with APP.
The GSP has demanded funds amounting to Rs 50.130 million for execution of the project during the next fiscal year.
The geological maps provide a bird’s eye view of the surface and (subsurface) distribution of various types of rocks and economic minerals that are found in a particular region.
“These maps are essential for all future detailed geological works including, minerals’ exploration, civil engineering, soil surveys, land use, town planning, groundwater, earthquake hazards; environmental geology and soil conservation projects.”
Worldwide experience suggests that geological maps of 1:50,000 scale provide the most useful information and meet the basic requirements of majority of the demands, involving research in ‘stratigraphy’, structure & tectonics, sample collection for laboratory studies, mineral evaluation and identification of promising areas for further exploration of the natural resources.
According to the document, the total outcrop area of Balochistan is 335,360 Square Kilometers (524 Toposheets) out of which 108,800 Sq Km. (170 Toposheets) have been mapped and published on 1:50,000 scale and the maps are available.
The promising mineral potential outcrop area would be mapped under this project, following which its gained experience would be used in mapping rest of the outcrop area.
“This project will help map the outcrop area in detail on 1:50,000 scale and maintain database for future exploration of the occurrences of metallic and non-metallic mineral potential, dimension stones, aggregates and limestone reserves for the industry in targeted potential areas of Balochistan.”
For the next fiscal year, the GSP has set the target to fill the posts for the project, collect and review of technical data, perform geological mapping of 16 Toposheets, measure 32 ‘stratigraphic’ sections, collect field rock samples, do chemical analysis and petrographic studies besides digitization of geological maps.
The data or information collected after geological mapping and laboratory testing of rock samples would generate a database for interpretation to lead the individual occurrences of mineral reserves and other natural resources.
The studies would provide a platform for exploration of mineral resources by using other geo-scientific investigations like geophysical survey and geochemical studies followed by drilling operations and contribute considerably towards development of mineral industry and mining sector. —APP
