Forum reviewed steps for improving mineral sector processing projects

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PESHAWAR
An important meeting held here on Thursday with Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Industries and Investment Abdul Karim in the chair, reviewed progress so far made on different mineral sector projects.
The meeting was held at the head-office of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC) Peshawar, said an official handout.
CEO KPEZDMC Javed Iqbal Khattak, Vice Chairman KPBOIT Said Mahmood, faculty of Islamia College and National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Mining Engineer Dr Brig Sarfraz, owners of mines, mine and minerals department officials attended the meeting. The forum considered loopholes in the mineral processing sector in the province and reviewed government efforts in the sector.
The participants were briefed with a detailed presentation by mineral sector specialist Dr Sarfraz Ali, regarding the potential of the mines and minerals sector in KP.
He maintained that the sector offers unique opportunities for domestic and international investors to earn maximum returns on their investment owing to better connectivity, leading to value addition in the export of minerals and employment generation in the province of KP.
KP has not been able to benefit from its natural resources due to a lack of skills, technology, and knowledge in mineral processing and then taking it to national and international markets, also due to the wastage of this resource as a result of traditional modes of exploration and use of obsolete machinery.
During the meeting, it was concluded that KPBOIT would be the focal body to conduct future meetings regarding improving and enhancing minerals processing in KP.
It will also extend collaboration with relevant sectors for better results.
The meeting decided that all the suggestions will be presented to the Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan for value addition in the mineral sector of the province.