Ans: Metallic Minerals:
Following are the most common metallic minerals found in Pakistan:
(i) Iron ore:
Iron ore is mined at different sites in Pakistan. Largest iron ore deposits are
at Kalabagh. Estimated quantity of these reserves is 309 million tons. This
iron is not of good quality. Magnesite is also a kind of iron ore found in
Pakistan. Good quality iron has been found in the north-east of Chitral. Apart
from these deposits iron ore is being mined in Chaghi and other parts of
Balochistan.
(ii) Manganese:
Manganese is mainly used in steel industry and manufacturing of batteries,
flash bulbs and paint. It is found in the areas of Chaghi and Lasbela
(Balochistan).
(iii) Chromite:
Chromite is used in the manufacturing of high quality stainless steel and
engineering tools. It is also applied in metallurigcal furnaces as lining.
Pakistan holds large deposits of chromite in different areas of Balochistan
and KPK.
(iv) Bauxite:
Bauxite is a valuable metal, it is mainly used in the processing of aluminum
metal. Pakistan holds bauxite reserves at Muzafarabad and Kotli Azad
Kashmir in the central areas of Salt Range, district Loralai and some other
areas of Balochistan.
(v) Copper:
Copper is another valuable mineral found in Pakistan. This is used for
making coins, utensils, decoration pieces, artificial jewelry, machine parts
and electric wire. Large deposits of copper and gold have been discovered in
Saindak, (a town in district Chagh) Balochistan. Other copper reserves are
in Kalat and Zhob (Balochistan) as well as in Dir and Chitral districts and
Hazara division of KPK.