Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday announced that there were large reserves of coal in Punjab’s Salt Range which could be developed and utilised for energy purposes.
Moreover, he said that recommendations should be submitted within seven days for development of mining areas to the Punjab government.
Presiding over a high-level meeting at Model Town, the chief minister was debriefed by a consultant from the Australian company SNOWDEN on drilling and data collection at the Salt Range.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said that there was a need to further improve the mining sector at national level and new courses and training should be introduced at mining schools.
Furthermore, he said that Pakistan could use her natural resources in an effective manner by adopting modern methods of mining.
He directed authorities to utilise modern machinery for excavating coal in the Salt Range, besides developing mining areas on scientific lines.
Shahbaz further said that Pakistan was full of natural resources and energy crisis could be overcome by utilising these natural resources effectively.
Meanwhile, an MoU was signed between Punjab government, Punjab University and UET for increasing cooperation in mineral development sector.