File Photo: Rescue workers outside the coal mine that claimed seven lives of miners in Balochistan's Harnai district: Photo provided by Hanif Tareen

Coal mines policy to be formulated in Balochistan

Manan Mandokhail :

Balochistan government has decided to formulate a coal mines policy in order to protect the lives of miners. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Balochistan, Asfandyar Khan chaired a meeting regarding the mines and minerals department on Monday.

Secretary Mines and Minerals Balochistan, Zafar Ali Bukhari, and other senior officers participated in the meeting. The meeting thoroughly discussed the proposed development projects under provincial and federal public sector development programs.

The meeting underlined the need for the implementation of mines and minerals to avert coal mines incidents. “For this purpose, a coal mines policy would be formulated in Balochistan”, Mr. Bukhari informed the meeting. He informed that a rescue center would be established in Dukki to ensure timely support to coal miners extracting coal from mines.

Hazardous working conditions have claimed scores of precious human lives in coal mines of Balochistan. Landsliding and methane gas explosions have become order of the day in Mach, Sorange, Dukki, Harnai and other parts of the province.

Mineral complex to be established in Quetta 

He mentioned that a mineral complex would be established in Quetta to promote the mineral wealth of Balochistan. Work is currently in progress on 16 development projects in the department, he added. 10 new schemes and 6 ongoing schemes.

Speaking on the occasion, Asfandyar Khan emphasized the need for adopting all possible steps to avert incidents inside coal mines of Balochistan. He directed the concerned quarters to make sure timely completion of development projects currently under in the mines and mineral department  Balochistan.

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.