GILGIT:
The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) authorities has deliberate a ‘gems and minerals’ exhibition in Islamabad to draw funding within the mountainous area often known as a ‘treasure trove of jewels’.
The 2-day exhibition beginning on Wednesday in Centaurus may have stalls of gems from G-B and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Ok-P).
“It’s a hidden treasure and I invite all individuals to come back to the exhibition to profit from it,” mentioned chief secretary G-B Mohyddin Wani on Tuesday.
He mentioned the exhibition goes to supply sellers a possibility to kind market linkages that may finally profit the individuals and the area.
In response to estimates, there are over 60 various kinds of valuable and semi-precious stones in G-B, with greater than 14,000 individuals concerned in artisanal mining. G-B is taken into account a ‘treasure trove of gems’ with ruby, emerald, topaz, aquamarine, sapphire, and tourmaline present in abundance within the area.
Speaking to the media, Secretary mines and Minerals Sajjad Haider mentioned G-B had nice potential for valuable stones however the area is missing in scientific method in the case of exploration and extraction of gems.
“We’re nevertheless attempting our degree finest to undertake a scientific method within the extraction of the valuable stones,” he mentioned, including the federal government is attempting to showcase the potential of this sector to herald funding from throughout the globe for which ‘we now have beneficial legal guidelines in place’.
In response to the exhibition administration, the G-B governor and chief minister may also take part within the exhibition on the primary and second day respectively.
The primary gemstone mine in Gilgit was reportedly found in 1951. Since then, locals have been engaged in exploration, extraction, and exploitation actions unofficially.
In response to specialists, Pakistan has not been capable of profit from its pure sources as a result of an absence of abilities, know-how, and information in processing mining materials after which taking it to nationwide and worldwide markets.
