ISLAMABAD – The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) has planned to map 50Toposheets of ‘outcrop area’ in Balochistan province for identification ofminerals at a cost of Rs 127.595 million during a three-year period.
“The project has been submitted to the quarters concerned for itsincorporationin the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2020-2021), under which 50geological mapping of Toposheets of Outcrop Area, out of 354 unmappedToposheets, of Balochistan will be carried out,” according to an officialdocument available with APP.
The GSP has demanded funds amounting to Rs 50.130 million for execution ofthe 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 mineralsthat are found in a particular region.
“These maps are essential for all future detailed geological worksincluding, minerals’ exploration, civil engineering, soil surveys, landuse, town planning, groundwater, earthquake hazards; environmental geologyand soil conservation projects.”
Worldwide experience suggests that geological maps of 1:50,000 scaleprovide the most useful information and meet the basic requirements ofmajority of the demands, involving research in ‘stratigraphy’, structure &tectonics, sample collection for laboratory studies, mineral evaluation andidentification of promising areas for further exploration of the naturalresources.
According to the document, the total outcrop area of Balochistan is 335,360Square Kilometers (524 Toposheets) out of which 108,800 Sq Km. (170Toposheets) have been mapped and published on 1:50,000 scale and the mapsare available.
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The promising mineral potential outcrop area would be mapped under thisproject, following which its gained experience would be used in mappingrest of the outcrop area.
“This project will help map the outcrop area in detail on 1:50,000 scaleand maintain database for future exploration of the occurrences of metallicand non-metallic mineral potential, dimension stones, aggregates andlimestone reserves for the industry in targeted potential areas ofBalochistan.”
For the next fiscal year, the GSP has set the target to fill the posts forthe project, collect and review of technical data, perform geologicalmapping of 16 Toposheets, measure 32 ‘stratigraphic’ sections, collectfield rock samples, do chemical analysis and petrographic studies besidesdigitization of geological maps.
The data or information collected after geological mapping and laboratorytestingof rock samples would generate a database for interpretation to lead theindividual occurrences of mineral reserves and other natural resources.
The studies would provide a platform for exploration of mineral resourcesby using other geo-scientific investigations like geophysical survey andgeochemical studies followed by drilling operations and contributeconsiderably towards development of mineral industry and mining sector.
