Ans: Distribution of metallic & non-metallic minerals:
(A) Minerals:
Minerals are divided into 2 groups, metalic and non-metalic, In Pakistan, the
metallic minerals include iron, copper, chromite, etc. The non-metallic
minerals include petroleum, natural gas, common salt, limestone, marble,
gypsum, etc. Their detail is given below:
1 Petroleum:
For human kind, the importance of petroleum and its products is more than
all the minerals used in industries. The important products of petroleum
include gasoline, kerosene oil, diesel, mobile oil, wax and coal tar. There are
factories in Pakistan to refine ofl. After the establishment of the Oil and Gas
Development Corporation there was a lot of progress in oil exploration. The
Potohar Plateau in Pakistan is an ancient region of petroleum production
The oil wells of this area are located in Bakassar, Khor, Dhallian, Joyamir
Manwal, Kot Sarong, Miyall, Aadhi and Kaaziyan. In Lower Sinch the
important oil producing areas are Khaskheli, Kinaar, Tando Allah Yar and
Zamzama. These reserves have an important role in fulfilling the country’s
requirements,
2 Natural Gas:
Natural gas was discovered in Pakistan in 1952 at Suf. These natural gas
reserves are included in the world’s biggest gas reserves. Natural gas is a cheap
source of energy. This gas is used not only domestically but also in industries
Using pipelines, natural gas is transported to nearly all the big cities of Pakistan
In Punjab there are natural gas reserves in Dhodak, Pirkoh, Dhallian and Miyal
Its reserves are found in Uch and Zun in Balochistan and in Khairpur, Mizraní,
Saari, Hindi, Kandhkot and Sarang in Sindh.
3 Copper:
In ancient times, copper was used only to make coins, utensils, etc.
Nowadays in Pakistan, it is used to make electrical products, especially
wires, etc. The copper reserves discovered in Balochistan in Districts
Chaghi, Saindak, Kalat, Zob and other areas are very important. In Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa copper reserves are found in Dir, Chitral and Hazara.
4 Iron Ore:
Iron ore was discovered in Pakistan in 1957. Iron ore reserves were
discovered in many places in Pakistan. This includes Kalabagh (District
Mianwali) Domal Nisaar (District Chitral), Langrial and Chilghazi (District
Chaghi). Due to difficulties in transportation, there is less profit.
5 Coal:
Coal is an important and ancient source of energy. In Pakistan coal is used
for producing thermal electricity, baking bricks and for domestic purposes.
Presently Pakistan coal is mined at Dandot, Padh and Makarwal in areas of
Salt Mountain in the Punjab. In Sindh there are coal mines in Thar, Jampir,
Sarang and Lakhra. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa coal reserves are found only in
Hangu. In Balochistan mining is being carried out in Khost, Sharg, Degari,
Shirin Aab, Mach Bolan and Harnai. 6 Salt:
Allah Almighty has blessed Pakistan with more than 100 million tons of
chemical industry, in Pakistan huge ressives of rock salt are found in Balt
(Distnet Karak), Bea Balt is also obtained from Lasbela and the area near
Makran’s coast in Balochistan, and also from Maunpur (Karachi),
7 Chromite:
Chromite la an important mineral which is mostly used for steel
manufacturing More than 25 large reserves of chromite have been
discovered in Pakistan Chromite la exported to many countries. It is also
used in Karachi Steel Mill. In Balochistan reserves of chromite are found in
Muslim Bagh, Chaghi and Kharaan, its reserves have also been discovered
in Malakand and Mohmand Agency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
8 Limestone:
Limestone is a very useful mineral. It is used in glass manufacturing, soap
making, paper manufacturing, cement manufacturing, steel manufacturing.
making of bleaching powder, white washing of building, paint manufacturing,
paan, hane and soda ash industry. In Pakistan limestone is mostly found in
northern and western mountainous areas, Reserves of limestone are found
in Daud Khel, Wah, Rohri, Hyderabad, Bibbl, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kohal,
Nowshera and Khiedaan.
9 Marble:
Marble is used for floors and walls of buildings. There are different types and
colours of marble in Pakistan. There are reserves of marble in Mardan,
Swat, Nowshera, Hazara, Chaghi, Gilgit and Attock.
10 Sulphur
Sulphur is an important mineral. Sulphur is used in ordnance factories,
sulphuric acid, chemical industries, medicine manufacturing industry, safety
match industry, preparation of ammonium sulphate fertilizer, preparation of
paints and colours. Sulphur is found in Sultan Mountains (District Chaghi)
Balochistan, Sunny (District Khachi) and Kalat. Sulphur reserves are found
in Karachi, Hyderabad in Sindh and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Peshawar
and Chitral