CM Murad Shah vows to promote investment in Sindh’s vast mineral resources 

KARACHI: Syed Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of Sindh, has reiterated his government’s commitment to encouraging investment in the province’s vast mineral resources, claiming that the mineral industry has enormous potential to spur industrialization, improve energy security, create jobs, and quicken economic growth.

The Chief Minister evaluated Sindh’s coal and non-coal mineral resources, active mining projects, and prospects for both domestic and foreign investment while presiding over a meeting at the CM House. He received a thorough briefing on the province’s mineral reserves, current operations, investment opportunities, and the government’s plan for sustainable mining development from Mines and Minerals Syed Sardar Shah.

The Chief Minister stated that the goal of his government was to unlock Sindh’s mineral wealth through scientific research, ethical extraction, cutting-edge technology, and value addition, making sure that natural resources became a source of economic success and enhanced people’s quality of life.

With 175 billion tons of reserves, Sindh’s Thar coalfield has significant potential for domestic industrial growth and energy production. Additionally, an estimated 50 billion tons of oil equivalent (TOE) and 2,000 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of coal-related gas equivalent resources were highlighted in the presentation.

The CM reviewed two major Thar coal mining and power generation projects developed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) early harvest programme.

The Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC), established under a public-private partnership, has a mining capacity of 11.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and power generation capacity of 1,980 megawatts. The Sindh government holds a 54.7 per cent share in the company, while Engro and its associates hold 45.3 per cent. The provincial government invested Rs 12.9 billion in equity.

The Sino-Sindh Resources Limited (SSRL), established by Chinese investors, has a mining capacity of 7.8 MTPA and power generation capacity of 1,320 MW, with a private investment of over $2.6 billion. The project is also contributing to foreign exchange savings through coal import substitution.

Minister Sardar Shah briefed the CM on investment opportunities in a wide range of non-coal minerals, including granite, iron ore, marble, limestone, celestite, China clay, silica sand and lake salt.

Granite deposits in Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, offer opportunities for dimension stone, decorative products and cutting and polishing industries. Iron ore deposits in Thatta, Jamshoro and Tharparkar have potential for steel-related industries, exploration and beneficiation.

Similarly, marble deposits in Thatta and Jamshoro offer opportunities for finished stone products, while limestone reserves across Khairpur, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Thatta and Karachi can support cement and construction industries.

The province also offers investment opportunities in celestite in Jamshoro, China clay in Tharparkar, silica sand in Jamshoro and Thatta, and lake salt deposits in Dadu, Sanghar and Tharparkar, particularly in processing, refining, manufacturing and value-added products.

The Chief Minister said the government wanted to encourage investors to move beyond raw mineral extraction and establish processing and manufacturing industries, creating greater economic value, employment and export opportunities within Sindh.

The meeting also reviewed the provincial government’s framework for ethical governance, social responsibility and environmental protection in the mining sector.

The Minister highlighted the Thar coal projects as examples of how mining activities could contribute to local development through employment, education, healthcare, clean drinking water and community infrastructure.

Under Block-I, approximately 5,000 jobs have been generated, with around 97 per cent of the workforce drawn from Sindh. More than 20,000 direct local employment opportunities have been reported cumulatively during project development and implementation. The initiatives include a 250-bed hospital in Islamkot, healthcare facilities, reverse osmosis plants and technical training for local youth.

Under Block-II, approximately 2,350 local people are employed through SECMC-related operations, with 94 per cent of its workforce from Sindh, including 60 per cent from Thar. Seven medical facilities provide free healthcare, while 33 reverse osmosis plants supply clean drinking water to local communities.

The briefing also covered environmental protection initiatives, including plantation of more than 1.3 million trees under the Thar Million Tree Programme, water treatment and reuse, biodiversity conservation, bio-saline agriculture and progressive land rehabilitation.

The CM stressed that mining must be conducted responsibly, with strict compliance with environmental standards, occupational health and safety requirements, protection of local communities and appropriate resettlement arrangements.

Infrastructure supporting mineral development, such as water supply facilities, road connectivity, and the projected Thar Rail Connectivity Project—a joint venture between the federal and Sindh governments—was also discussed at the meeting. It is anticipated that the rail connection will expand the market for domestic coal and make it easier to transport Thar coal to businesses around the nation.

Opportunities for alternate uses of Thar coal, namely coal briquetting and coal-to-urea synthesis, were highlighted in the briefing. These uses might promote industrial development, food security, and foreign exchange savings. Investors can also access geological and exploratory data, including 12 blocks established after thorough drilling.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed that Sindh welcomed both foreign and domestic investors and would support knowledge transfer, advanced mining techniques, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and mineral-based enterprises.

The CM emphasized that the provincial government’s approach to mineral development would continue to be centered on open rules, competitive investment possibilities, robust institutional backing, and investor-friendly procedures.

According to him, the ultimate goal was to turn Sindh’s mineral richness into sustainable economic growth, industrial development, local employment, and prosperity while preserving the environment and defending the rights of local residents residing in mineral-rich areas.