Bauxite is an important metallic ore, which is main
source of aluminum. Pakistan has reserves of over 74 million tonnes, located at
various places of Pakistan: Central Salt Range (Punjab) Kotli and Muzaffarbad
(Azad Kashmir), Loralai district (Baluchistan) are some important places of
bauxite reserves. In 1990-91 production was 24,644 metric tonnes, which became
35,114 metric tonnes during 2001-02 and it was 174,223 metric. During 2007-08.
Silica Sand
Silica Sand is very important raw material for
glass industry. Pakistan has very large reserves of Silica Sand, which can
support our glass industry for long time. Its production has been doubled
during last one decade and during 2007- 08, its production reached up to 403
thousand tonnes.
The main reserves of silica sand are located at
Dandot, (Jhelum-Punjab) Makarwal
(Mianawali-Punjab), Hazara district (K.P.K.) and Jang Shahi (Sindh).
Besides these minerals, Pakistan possesses some
reserves of (I) Magnesite--Production 3,940 metric tonnes, Muslimbagh and
Lasbela to Malakand. (ii) Baryte--Deposit, 5 million tonnes--production 50,000
metric tonnes -- Khuzdar at Gunga (Baluchistan), Kundi (Lasbela), Kohala,
Haripur (N.W.F.P).
- Soapstone--reserves, 0.6 million tonnes,
production 38,000 tonnes- Sherwan (Abbottabad), Safed Koh (Parachinar) Zhob and
Axial Belt (Baluchistan).
- Marble-very large reserves-- production 1,537,000
tonnes Mullaghori (Peshawar), Gundai Hills (Mardan), Swat, Nowshera, Chagai (Baluchistan)
and Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir).
Pakistan also produces some quantity of Gem stones,
among them, Emjald (Swat, Mohmand Agency) Aquamarine. (Gilgit, Dir) Ruby
(Gilgit, Hunza) and Topaz (Chitral, Mardan) are important.