ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (ABC): The federal government is set to launch a Rs949.96 million minerals project in Gilgit-Baltistan aimed at exploring, processing, and extracting precious metals and critical minerals. The initiative is significant because it seeks to strengthen Pakistan’s mineral resource development, improve domestic processing capacity, and reduce reliance on imported materials used in industrial and technological applications.
The two-year project, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2028, will be implemented by the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. All project activities will be conducted at PCSIR Laboratories in Skardu.
What is the project?
The initiative focuses on the exploration, beneficiation, and extraction of valuable mineral resources found in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Exploration involves identifying and assessing mineral deposits through geological and scientific studies. Beneficiation refers to processes that improve the quality and concentration of minerals before they are used in manufacturing or other industrial applications.
According to official documents, the project will also support research and development related to rare earth minerals and energy storage materials, sectors that are becoming increasingly important for modern technologies.
Why does it matter?
Pakistan possesses significant untapped mineral resources, including precious metals and critical minerals that are used in electronics, renewable energy systems, batteries, and industrial manufacturing.
Developing local capabilities for mineral exploration and processing could help the country better understand its resource potential and create opportunities for value-added production within Pakistan.
The project is also intended to support import substitution by enabling the domestic identification and processing of minerals that may otherwise need to be sourced from abroad.
What technologies will be used?
The project plans to use advanced scientific and industrial equipment to identify and process mineral resources.
According to the project documents, planned technologies include Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis systems, beneficiation plants, and grinding mills.
ICP-MS is a laboratory technique used to detect and measure trace elements in geological samples. It is commonly employed in mineral exploration and resource assessment because of its high level of precision.
These technologies are expected to support both the identification of mineral deposits and the development of more efficient processing methods.
Who will implement the project?
The Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) will execute the project under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
PCSIR is a government research organization that conducts scientific and industrial research in areas including materials science, engineering, environmental studies, and industrial development.
The project’s operational base will be PCSIR Labs in Skardu, a location situated close to many of Gilgit-Baltistan’s mineral-rich regions.
What are the expected outcomes?
Project documents indicate that the initiative is expected to improve Pakistan’s capacity for mineral exploration and resource assessment.
Other anticipated outcomes include greater value addition through local processing, the development of technical expertise, and increased use of domestically sourced mineral resources.
The project is also expected to contribute to research on rare earth minerals and materials used in energy storage technologies, helping expand scientific knowledge in these areas.
What happens next?
The project is expected to begin implementation in 2026 and continue through 2028.
During this period, PCSIR will conduct geological investigations, establish processing capabilities, and carry out research activities aimed at identifying and developing mineral resources in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The findings and infrastructure developed under the project may provide a foundation for future mineral sector initiatives and resource development efforts in Pakistan.
