Geology is the study of the planet

Geology is the study of the planet earth, its rocky exterior, its history, and the processes that act upon it. Geology is also referred as earth science and geosciences. The relationship between people and the natural environment is an important focus of geology. This includes natural hazards, resources, and human influences on geological processes. Geology is also known as detective science.

GEOLOGY OF BALOCHISTAN Balochistan is indeed a piece of geological wonderland on earth, very few segments of the globe may have so many geological marvels congregated in a piece of equal in area to that of Balochistan is product of merger of a migrant and an indigenous pieces of earth crust a wonder by itself.

• Due to active geology , Presence of Chaman and Ornach-Nal fault, Triple plate junction, Ophiolite, Trench - arc system, Baluchistan mountain belt, Magmatic arcs and Mud volcanoes make Baluchistan, a truly wonder land.

MINERAL POTENTIAL OF BALOCHISTAN • At present Pakistan is producing 50 varieties of different minerals: of these about 43 are being exploited in Balochistan. • Not only mineral, but Balochistan is also house of variety of building – stones and construction material and others raw materials

MINERAL DEPOSITS AND LOCATION In Chagai magmatic arcs(the chagai, the Mirjawa- Dalbandin trough, the Ras- Koh block and the kharan fore-arc basin) minerals are Gold, Copper, silver, Platinum, titanium, Iron, Manganese, Tungsten, Lead –zinc, Fluorite, Gypsum, Sulphur, Vermiculite, Barite, Chromite, Marble, limestone and others buildingstone.

MINERAL DEPOSITS IN OPHIOLITE THRUST BELT In Ophiolitic belt (Bela, Khuzdar, Muslimbagh, Qila saifullah, Zhob) we have asbestos, Barite, Chromite, Copper, Iron ore, Lead-Zinc, Magnesite, Manganese, Mercury, Soapstone, Talc, Fluorite, Graphite , Nickel, Platinum, Serpentine, Antimony.

OTHERS SMALL AND SPECIFIC DEPOSITS Others small deposits of minerals are present in the form of Quartz and massive sulphide in Las- Bela, Witherite recently discovered a few miles away of Degari, very extensive deposits of Laterite occur in Ziarat area, Dolomite in mastung, Calcite and etc.

BALOCHISTAN GEMS In Chagai: Varicolored Agates, Chrysoprase, Chalcedony, Geodes, Citrine and Smoky Quartz. In Zhob: Pistachio Green Vesuvianite, Serpentine and Idocrase. In Wad: Green Quartz In Lasbela: Citrine, Smoky Quartz and Jasper. In Panjgur: Auriferous Quartz. In Kharan: Blackish Green Jaberjet. In Kalat: Brown Garnet and Fluorite. In Khuzdar: Agates. In Loralai: Amethyst.

MINERAL FUELS (COAL) Balochistan has been producing the major share of coal in Pakistan but now Sindh has overtaken it. Balochistan has a Coal resource base over 195 million tonnes but due to thin and steeply dipping coal seams, obtaining large production is not possible.

PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS In 1885 -1892, thirteen shallow wells produced 25000 barrels of oil in Khattan (south-east) from Queeta in Balochistan. In 1952, the large reserves of natural gas discovered in the Sui main limestone of early Eocene age. The original recoverable gas reserves were estimated to be over 10 trillion cubic feet equivalent to about 1 billion barrels oil.

THE BEAST OF BALOCHISTAN

INTRODUCTION Discovery of a mammal fossils Balochitherium in Dera Bugti area has further added a piece of geological marvel to the credit Balochistan. Fossil remains Balochitherium the largest land mammal that ever lived. Petrified remains of the animal indicate that the beast measured 8 meter long and 5. 5 meter high at the shoulder and weighted over 20 tonnes, more than 2. 5 times heavier than African elephants and 2 tonnes of feed every day, that the beast acquired.

MUD VOLCANOES OF BALOCHISTAN Balochistan is gifted with a diverse landscape, among many geological wonders here, one big attraction is the presence of 18 major Mud volcanoes. Infact world’s largest and highest known Mud volcano is located in Balochistan. The altitude of this highest Mud volcano is 300 ft. Known as Chandargup located in Hingol. Some preservation should provided to these natural wonders, tourism should be allowed but within safe distance.

SOME PICS………

AN OVERVIEW ON REKO DIQ PROJECT

WHY REKO DIQ IS SO IMPORTANT? Reko diq is the area where world largest copper reserve, and are of the biggest Gold reserves has been estimated. According to the current markets price, the value of the deposits has been estimated at about $65 billion. It should be noted that different rates are suggested for these precious deposits. i. e, $86 billion dollar, $100 billion dollar but least estimation is $65 billion dollar and it also depend upon area size and etc.

WHAT IS REKODIQ PROJECT? The Rekodiq project is a larger Copper. Gold porphyry resource on the Tethyan belt located in a desert area of 70 kms north of Naukandi. It could be called Gold peak, because according to development expert SYEDFAZL-E-HAIDER, below the sands lie some 12. 3 million tons of CU, and 20. 9 million ounces of gold.

The Copper-Gold deposits at Reko. Diq are believed to be even bigger than those of Sarcheshmeh in Iran and Econdida in Chile. Reko Diq is a giant Copper and Gold project in chagai district of Baluchistan. The main license (EL 5) is held jointly by the Government of Baluchistan (25%), Antofagasta minerals (37%) and Barrick- Gold (37%). A further 14 mineralized porphyry bodies are known to exist, with the potential to place the Reko Diq project among the largest undeveloped copper resources on the globe. The TCC company started the Riko Diq project in 2003 with an investment of US $120 millions.

SUGGESTIONS Now doubt, we belong to one of the backward region within 3 rd world and are facing conversion of problems in the form of Earthquakes, Tsunami, Flooding, Soil erosion etc. (Natural) and political as well. We are superior form of life and an interesting point about us is, we do right thing but after exhausting all the possibilities probably with good intention

BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IN EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES? An implementation of emergency regarding qualify education is only solution. Hence, THINK GLOBALLY , ACT LOCALLY!