WORLD BANK MINERAL SECTOR PROJECT PREPARATION MISSION

A World Bank Mission visited the HQs office of the Geological Survey of Pakistan Quetta on November 13, 2006. The Mission comprising Stanely and Claude Ginet from the World Bank held meeting with Mirza Talib Hasan, Director General GSP. The WB has offered more than $50 million to assist Government of Pakistan in sustainable mineral sector development with a particular focus on Balochistan as a pilot case. The core objective is to implement its strategy to accelerate sustainable mineral sector development by strengthening geological Survey of Pakistan and capacity building

The members of the Mission reviewed the status of preparation of proposals for a mineral sector development project and existing program proposals to modernize and institutional strengthening and capacity building of the GSP for promotion of mineral sector at an accelerated pace. They also reviewed proposed formulation approach for geological component of mineral sector development program for Balochistan and promotion of mineral sector development and dissemination of basic geo data which includes establishment of a mineral resources information centre to attract private sector mining investment. The DG GSP informed the mission that GSP is undertaking integrated airborne geophysical survey of Chagai, Ras Koh Magnetic Arc, Las Bela Khuzdar, Muslim Bagh, Zhob ophiolite belt and beneficiation studies of Dilband iron ore. The GSP plans to carry out assessment of copper occurrences of Chagai, Las Bela-Khuzdar-Muslim Bagh and Zhob areas and evaluation of Gunga and Surmai Lead-Zinc deposits. The WB mission hoped that the provincial level reforms will be implemented in Balochistan as a pilot case, and will aim to provide a demonstrative effect so that other provinces follow with similar reforms. Production and management of geodata includes compilation of existing and collection of new basic geodata and activities to support community development and mineral sector promotion.