Despite importing millions of tonnes of steel annually, Pakistan may already possess vast untapped mineral resources beneath its soil in Punjab.
Geological estimates suggest that the regions of Chiniot and Rajoa host between 150 to 600 million tonnes of iron ore, along with more than 30 million tonnes of copper-bearing ore, which also contains traces of gold and silver.
The estimated value of these raw resources exceeds $6 billion, while processed materials could potentially generate more than $60 billion highlighting the significant economic opportunity.
However, despite this potential, Pakistan continues to rely heavily on imported steel scrap raising concerns about underutilized domestic resources.
Experts say that if properly developed, the Chiniot reserves could support a large-scale steel industry, contribute to copper supply for emerging sectors like electric vehicles and generate over 100,000 jobs.
The situation presents a stark contradiction a country rich in natural resources yet dependent on imports for industrial growth.
While the presence of these resources is well established, the key challenge remains their development. Issues such as policy delays, lack of investment, infrastructure gaps and governance hurdles are often cited as reasons why these reserves have remained untapped for decades.
As global demand for metals continues to rise, the pressure is mounting on policymakers to unlock this potential and reduce reliance on imports.
Keywords:
Pakistan steel imports, Chiniot iron ore, Punjab minerals, copper reserves Pakistan, untapped resources, mining industry Pakistan, economic potential, Asian Burg Business Desk
Asian Burg | Business Desk
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