KARACHI: The Directorate General of Mines & Minerals is all set to conduct a study for the delineation of positive and negative areas for installation of thirteen (13) new cement plants in the salt range area to meet the demand of around 105Mt of cement in coming four years in wake of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In this regard, NESPAK, a consultancy organization, requires services of consulting firm for technical audit of existing cement plants in the salt range and recommendations for negative and positive areas for installation of cement plants in the salt range- for the project delineating negative and positive mining areas for installation of 13 new cement plants in the salt range.
As these areas (salt range) are populated and cement plants exploits extensive underground water sources, it is a general perception that an efficient cement plant operating through dry process may utilise an extensive amount of water approximately more than 80000 gallons per day an disturbs the natural ecosystem of the area.
Because the area is already occupied by 8 operational cement plants and in granting of limestone leases to these thirteen new applicants mean 1040000 gallons of ground water discharge on daily basis which is assumed to be threat for underground drinkable water by the public representatives, a document of the DG Mines & Minerals said.
Thus, the case of 13 new applicants was presented before Chief Minister Punjab, and keeping in view of ground water depletion and environment concerns of local inhabitants in the salt range areas, the CM ordered to engage international consultant for evaluation of the current situation and demarcate negative and positive areas for sustainable growth of cement industry but not at the cost of lives of local inhabitants, it added.
The main objective of engaging a consultant is to identify the negative a positive arrears with respect to installation of new cement plants in the view of existing water resource availability environmental pollution infrastructure congestion due to transportation and socio-economic conditions of the project areas
Pakistan is self-sufficient in cement production and also exports cement to other countries like Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the awaking of CPEC Projects, the demand for cement is expected to be higher in future. Cement is being manufactured from combination of limestone, argilliuos clay, gypsum and laterite/bauxite in a defined proportion. All the relevant raw material is sufficiently available in the Salt Range area comprising upon District Jhelum, Chakwal, Khushab and Mianwali evident of which is that 08 cement plants are producing 20 million Tons per Day cement. The geographical distribution of these cement plants is like that Pakistan Cement, DG Cement, Bestway Cement, Ghareebwall Cement and Dandot Cement Plants are situated towards east of motorway in District, Chakwal and J helum. Whereas three other plants
i.e. Flying, Pioneer & Maple Leaf Cement Plants are situated towards West of Motorway in District, Khushab & Mianwali.