KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to promoting investment in the province’s vast mineral resources, saying that the mineral sector has enormous potential to drive industrialisation, strengthen energy security, generate employment and accelerate economic growth.
Presiding over a meeting at the CM House, the Chief Minister reviewed Sindh’s coal and non-coal mineral resources, ongoing mining projects and opportunities for domestic and international investment. Mines and Minerals Syed Sardar Shah gave him a detailed briefing on the province’s mineral reserves, existing operations, investment potential and the government’s strategy for sustainable mineral development.
The Chief Minister said his government’s vision was to unlock Sindh’s mineral wealth through scientific exploration, responsible extraction, modern technology and value addition, ensuring that natural resources became a source of economic prosperity and improved livelihoods for the people.
Thar coal: 175 billion tonnes of reserves: Sindh’s Thar coalfield holds reserves of 175 billion tonnes, representing enormous potential for indigenous energy production and industrial development. The presentation also highlighted an estimated energy equivalent of 50 billion tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) and coal-related gas-equivalent resources of 2,000 trillion cubic feet (TCF).
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.
The meeting also reviewed infrastructure supporting mineral development, including road connectivity, water supply facilities and the proposed Thar Rail Connectivity Project, a joint venture of the federal and Sindh governments. The rail link is expected to facilitate transportation of Thar coal to industries across the country and provide a wider market for indigenous coal.
The briefing highlighted opportunities for alternative utilisation of Thar coal, particularly coal briquetting and coal-to-urea production, which could support industrial growth, food security and foreign exchange savings. Geological and exploration data for investors are also available, with 12 blocks developed following detailed drilling.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Sindh welcomed domestic and international investors and would encourage strategic partnerships and joint ventures, technology transfer, modern mining practices and mineral-based industries.
He emphasised that transparent regulations, competitive investment opportunities, strong institutional support and investor-friendly procedures would remain central to the provincial government’s approach to mineral development. He said the ultimate objective was to transform Sindh’s mineral wealth into sustainable economic growth, industrial development, local employment and prosperity while safeguarding the environment and protecting the interests of communities living in mineral-rich areas.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Source: brecorder
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