APMOA Chairman urges long-term mineral policy, rail connectivity, local value addition to unlock Pakistan’s mining potential

ISLAMABAD, Jun 29 (APP): Chairman of the All Pakistan Mines Owners Association (APMOA), Mir Behroz Rigi, presented a comprehensive set of recommendations to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, Haroon Akhtar Khan, aimed at accelerating the development of Pakistan’s mineral sector and transforming it into a key driver of national economic growth.

During the meeting, along with other stake holders from mining sector, Chairman of the All Pakistan Mines Owners Association (APMOA), Mir Behroz Rigi emphasized that while Balochistan is richly endowed with natural resources and mineral reserves, the sector has remained developing due to the absence of a long-term policy framework, inadequate infrastructure, limited connectivity, and insufficient local participation.

The Chairman of APMOA proposed the formulation of a 15-year national mineral policy, to provide stability, attract domestic and foreign investment, and ensure sustainable growth of the mining industry.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure, the APMOA chairman called for the modernization and expansion of Pakistan’s railway network, particularly the Taftan–Quetta, Chaman–Quetta, and Sibi–Punjab/Sindh routes.

He also stressed the need to rehabilitate and effectively manage the Chamalang–Duki–Harnai–Sibi railway link, enabling the efficient transportation of minerals to ports.

According to Mir Behroz Rigi, improved rail connectivity would significantly reduce transportation costs and facilitate the safe movement of minerals such as onyx, granite, fluorite, chromite, copper, iron ore, and other valuable resources to domestic and international markets.

He added that increased freight operations could also generate billions of rupees in additional annual revenue for Pakistan Railways.

The APMOA chairman further urged the government to prioritize value addition by establishing refineries and mineral processing plants in mining regions instead of exporting raw minerals.

Such initiatives, he said, would increase export earnings, retain by-product revenues within the provinces, promote industrialization, and create substantial employment opportunities for local communities.

Mir Behroz Rigi emphasized that the rights and interests of local populations must be safeguarded through meaningful economic participation, employment opportunities, and equitable development benefits.

He noted that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives alone are insufficient, and that local communities should become genuine stakeholders in mineral development projects.

He also recommended that mining be granted the status of a formal industry, enabling mine owners to access institutional financing. In this regard, he called for the establishment of specialized mineral banks and the provision of interest-free or low-cost loans to help investors acquire modern mining equipment and technologies.

The APMOA chairman proposed developing power plants, mineral processing facilities, and other industrial projects under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements to stimulate economic activity and reduce unemployment in mineral-rich regions.

Chairman of the APMOA underscored that these recommendations are not limited to Balochistan but are equally applicable to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Punjab, where mineral resources should also be processed locally through refineries and value-added industries.

This, he said, would enhance provincial revenues, create employment opportunities, reduce imports, boost exports, and strengthen Pakistan’s overall economy.

Describing APMOA as the country’s umbrella organization representing mine owners nationwide, he said the association compiles recommendations from its provincial chapters and presents unified policy proposals to the government for the development of the mining sector.

Concluding his remarks, Mir Behroz Rigi urged the Government of Pakistan and all relevant authorities to give serious consideration to the association’s proposals, stating that effective policies, improved infrastructure, industrial investment, accessible financing, and local participation are essential to unlocking Pakistan’s vast mineral wealth and ensuring sustainable economic growth.