Balochistan possesses great unexplored potential of metallic and non-metallic minerals. Presently, the minerals being exploited are:
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Coal
Balochistan coal can cater to the existing and future energy requirement of our country to a great extent. More than 90% of coal is dispatched to other provinces for use in brick kilns. Its reserves are found in
Chromite
Sizable deposits of this mineral are found at Muslimbagh, district Killa Saifullah. Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan and Chaghi districts have chromite reserves. Private sector has been engaged in mining this mineral.
Barytes
The biggest deposit of barytes is located near Khuzdar with a total reserve of over 2.00 million tones. Scientific mining as well as grinding of this mineral started in 1976. Almost the entire production of barites is consumed locally by OGDC and other oil drilling companies.
Sulphur
Sulphur deposits are available at Koh-e-Sultan in District Chaghi. Three main deposits are clustered around the Southern half of the extinct volcano, Koh-e-Sultan. The deposits are of fumaroles origin and native Sulphur is found in cracks and as impregnation in volcanic tuffs. The Chief use of Sulphur is the manufacturing of Sulphuric acid etc.
Marble
Large commercially exploitable deposits are found throughout district Chaghi, starting from Dalbandin and extending to the borders of Iran. Some deposits are located close to Pak-Afghan border areas namely Zardkan, Siah-Chang, Jhulli, Patkok, Maskichah, Zeh, Chilgazi and Buttak.
Onyx, a dark green marble, found in Chaghi is of superior quality. Onyx of good quality is found in Bolan, Lasbela and Khuzdar districts.
Iron Ore
Chaghi, a mineral rich area, possesses nearly 30 million tonnes of iron ore. Geological Survey of Pakistan, in a report, states that there are 1 to 7 meters( averaging about 2 meters) thick hematitic sedimentary ironstone bed of Jurassic age(150 million years old) at the contact of Chiltan Limestone, and Sember formation of Cretaceous age (150-65 million years old) near Johan in Dilband area of Mastung district. The reserves have been tentatively estimated at over 200 million tonnes.
Quartzite
This is a relatively newly discovered mineral. Its deposits are found in Lasbela district.
Limestone
Limestone exists in abundance in different parts of Balochistan. Several hundred meters thick layers of limestone, at places dolomitic, occur in Chiltan Formation of Jurassic age in Quetta and Kalat. Limestone of Cretaceous age, 300 to 50 meters thick, is widely found in Balochistan. Harnai, Sor Range, and Spintangi areas have reserves of limestone.
Sulphor
Sulphor deposits are available at Koh-i-Sultan in Chaghi district. Three main depoit are clustered around the southern half o the extinct volcano, Koh-i-Sultan. The deposits are of fumaralic origin and native sulphor is found in vugs, cracks, and as impregnation in volcanic tuffs. The chief use of sulphor is I the manufacturing of sulphuric acid and explosives.
