By Ghulam Hussain Baloch
QUETTA: Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, announced on Friday that authorities had taken action against illegal chromite mining in Pishin District, closing 47 unauthorized mines.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Bugti said the illegal mining activity had significantly undermined revenue from the province’s mines and minerals sector, which currently generates less than 10 billion rupees annually. He described the crackdown as a necessary step to protect public resources and restore oversight of the sector.
The Chief Minister added that the provincial government was in the process of introducing a comprehensive policy aimed at eliminating illegal mining and improving the overall performance of Balochistan’s mineral industry. He said the policy would focus not only on enforcement but also on creating a transparent framework for legal mining operations, ensuring that natural resources benefit the local economy and communities.
Officials said illegal mining had long been a challenge in the region, with unregulated operations causing environmental damage, revenue losses, and unfair competition for licensed operators. Observers noted that the closure of these mines was part of a wider effort by the provincial government to reform the sector, attract investment, and boost economic growth.
Analysts said that Balochistan, rich in chromite, coal, and other minerals, could significantly increase its contribution to the national economy if governance and regulation were strengthened. The provincial government’s new policy, they suggested, would be closely watched by investors and local communities alike as a test of its commitment to sustainable and lawful resource management.
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