ISLAMABAD: Geological experts are making steady progress in mapping toposheets of the outcrop area of Balochistan to maintain data for the exploration of metallic and non-metallic minerals, dimension stones, aggregates, and limestone reserves in the province.
Under the project, for which the government has allocated Rs 30 million in the Public Sector Development Programme 2021-22, the geological mapping of 50 toposheets out of 354 unmapped toposheets of the outcrop area of Balochistan would be carried out.
As per the project updates, the experts successfully performed the initial study of maps, toposheets, aerial photography, and satellite imagery.
“Unmapped areas including parts of Chagai, Khuzdar and Lasbela Districts have been selected for detailed mapping based on mineral potential and geological complexity,” according to an official report available with APP.
Previous literature and maps were being studied by the field parties and about 40 percent of technical work has been completed.
“Reconnaissance geological fieldwork/mapping has been carried out in the District Khuzdar and surrounding areas. Sites have been identified on toposheets to collect geochemical stream sediments from Khuzdar,” it added.
The geological maps provide a bird’s eye view of the surface and (subsurface) distribution of various types of rocks and important minerals that are found in a particular region.
Through the mapping, the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) wanted to maintain a database for future exploration of the occurrences of metallic and non-metallic mineral potential, dimension stones, aggregates and limestone reserves for the industry.
