The Balochistan Department of Mines and Minerals has issued notices to 268 companies and individuals for failing to carry out mining activities despite holding valid mining lease licences in different parts of the province.
According to officials, the notices were issued on the directives of the Director General Mines and Minerals Balochistan. Lease holders have been given 30 days to submit their responses and justify the non-operational status of their allotted sites. Authorities warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period would result in the cancellation of mining lease licences.
The notices have been served to lease holders operating across multiple districts, including Quetta, Bolan, Dukki, Harnai, Chagai, Kalat, Kharan, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Mastung, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Ziarat, Washuk, Zhob and Turbat.
Officials said the highest number of notices — 76 in total — were issued in Chagai district. The lease holders in the area were allotted licences for the extraction of minerals such as marble, chromite and iron but failed to initiate mining activities.
In the notices, the department stated that the lease holders had violated provisions of the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act 2025 by keeping their leased areas non-productive for extended periods.
The department emphasized that the action aims to ensure effective utilization of mineral resources and discourage speculative holding of mining leases without actual extraction or development work.
Balochistan is rich in mineral resources, and provincial authorities have repeatedly stated that inactive leases not only cause revenue losses but also hinder local economic development and employment opportunities.
