KP’s Marble Sector Faces Wastage, Smuggling Issues
Fakhar-e-Alam
Peshawar: Ehtisham Khan, a 30-year-old progressive marble miner from Warsak Road, Peshawar, is working relentlessly to meet the growing demands of the construction industry.
His factory, where he cuts large marble slabs, operates with the assistance of two laborers, processing Ziarat marble from the Mohmand tribal district.
Ehtisham, who started his business in 2018 to repay a loan for his mother’s medical treatment, has since seen his fortunes change, with his own marble unit thriving.
“I entered this challenging business to repay the amount I borrowed for my mother’s treatment. Fortunately, my business turned around last year when I established my own marble unit here,” said Ehtisham.
He highlighted the profitability of the marble and granite business, stating that anyone with basic knowledge and Rs 5 million could earn upwards of Rs 20 million annually. Ziarat marble, prized for its shine, durability, and cooling properties, remains a high-demand product.
Exports of Ziarat marble, along with white, grey, and red-white varieties from Mohmand, Swat, and Buner districts, have risen sharply, especially to Afghanistan and the Middle East.
However, marble buyers like Fayaz Khan from Wapda Town, Peshawar, express concerns over high prices, especially when it comes to white marble slabs. “Prices for one or two feet of white marble are sky-high, beyond the reach of the poor and lower middle class.
When there’s bulk demand, the price goes up, which is the opposite of what should happen,” he added, calling for a more regulated pricing mechanism.
Sher Bandi Marwat, President of the Frontier Mine Owners Association, underscored the vast mineral resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Spanning 600,000 square kilometers, the province is home to 92 known minerals, with 52 commercially viable ones.
KP alone holds about 95% of Pakistan’s marble reserves, approximately 2,900 million tons. Yet, Marwat warned that a significant amount of marble is wasted due to blasting methods used at extraction sites, alongside a lack of proper training and technology.
Meanwhile, Mamoor Khan, Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APCEA), pointed out the untapped potential of Pakistan’s gemstone industry, which is home to diverse and rare gemstone deposits.
The country could potentially export 800,000 carats of rubies, 87,000 carats of emeralds, and 5 million carats of peridot annually. He also stressed the need to establish Namak Mandi as a hub for gemstone exports, a move that could significantly boost the industry.
Despite this, smuggling of raw gemstones continues to be a challenge, and the lack of proper infrastructure is a significant roadblock to fully capitalizing on these resources.
According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2023, marble production in the country has been fluctuating, with exports of marble dropping in recent years.
KP’s rich mineral resources are estimated to be worth trillions, but the region contributes only 3 percent to Pakistan’s GDP, a percentage that experts like Zahid Shinwari, former President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, believe needs to rise.
He advocated for interest-free loans for miners and tax reductions on machinery imports to foster growth.
Junaid Khan, Director General of the Mines and Mineral Department, announced several initiatives aimed at improving the sector. The introduction of a Mining Cadastre Portal, collaboration with the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), and the establishment of a gemstone laboratory and technical training centers are all part of the government’s strategy to enhance the mining industry in KP.
Plans to set up a mineral complex at Hayatabad, Peshawar, along with additional offices in key regions, will streamline the process for investors. Moreover, the establishment of several specialized mining centers and safety protocols are on the horizon.
KP’s future mining prospects include the exploration of valuable resources such as gold, silver, and emeralds in Swat, and the expansion of marble production in areas like Mohmand, Bajaur, and Khyber. The construction of Mohmand Marble City, spanning 350 acres, alongside other planned industrial hubs in Buner and Nowshera, highlights the provincial government’s commitment to boosting the mining sector.
In conclusion, despite immense potential, the mining and marble industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces numerous challenges. With appropriate investment, infrastructure development, and policy reforms, the region could significantly increase its contribution to the national economy.
