Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting here on Saturday to review progress regarding the exploration of iron ore reserves in Chiniot-Rajwa as well as progress on the second phase of the project.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that work had started on the second phase of the project for the exploration of iron ore in Chiniot-Rajwa along with its assessment. He said that an agreement had been signed with German company Fugro for the exploration of underground minerals and their exact assessment. The German company will submit its report after a survey of mineral resources in the province.
The chief minister said that the German company would soon start its work on the second phase of mineral resource exploration in Chiniot and its adjoining areas. This survey will help identify the estimated cost of minerals as well as the collection of other data. He said that the cost of the mineral resources has been estimated with hard work and observed that the project carried vital importance for the betterment of the national economy. In the first phase, international experts finalised their report assessing the iron ore reserves in Chiniot-Rajwa.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the investors should be approached keeping in view the feasibility report of the project and the assessment of the iron ore reserves. During the second phase, drilling and other works should be completed as early as possible in a professional and scientific manner, he directed.
Furgo Managing Director Dr Uta Alisch, geographical experts including Dr Jens Krumb and Ralf Braumann, the mines and minerals department secretary, and other concerned officials also attended the meeting. The planning and development department chairman participated in the meeting through a video link.
