Thar Coal and Responsible Mining in Tharparkar, Pakistan

Explore how Thar coal and other minerals can support energy security and local jobs in Tharparkar. Learn how responsible coal mining in Pakistan can create value while protecting water, livelihoods, communities, and the region’s ecological and cultural heritage.

RURAL INNOVATION

Nazar Gul, Faizan Ul Hasan & Bareerah Fatima

10/19/2026

Succulent plant and colorful crystals arranged on dark wood

When people picture the Thar Desert, they often imagine endless sand dunes, scorching temperatures, and resilient communities adapting to a challenging environment. Yet beneath this landscape lies a remarkable concentration of mineral and energy resources. Tharparkar District in southeastern Sindh contains vast deposits of lignite coal, alongside other resources such as salt, China clay, and granite. Developed responsibly, these resources could contribute to Pakistan’s energy security, industrial growth, employment, and regional economic development.

The story of Thar’s mineral wealth began with an unexpected discovery. In 1988, British and Sindhi agencies drilled water wells near Khario Ghulam Shah, approximately 15 kilometres east of Islamkot. The objective was to locate groundwater, but the drilling revealed substantial coal deposits, drawing attention to the region’s enormous energy potential.

The Thar Coalfield covers approximately 9,100 square kilometres and is estimated to contain around 175 billion tonnes of lignite. This represents more than 95 per cent of Pakistan’s reported coal resources, making Thar a strategically important asset in the country’s energy landscape.

Thar lignite has distinctive characteristics. Its average moisture content is approximately 46.26 per cent, while its calorific value is around 3,030 kilocalories per kilogram. These properties classify it as low-grade coal, meaning that more fuel is generally required to generate a given amount of energy compared with higher-grade coal. Nevertheless, its sulphur content and mineral composition make it technically usable in appropriately designed power plants, provided emissions and ash disposal are effectively managed.

Estimates of Thar’s potential electricity generation are substantial, with some projections suggesting that its coal resources could support large-scale power generation for decades or even centuries, depending on extraction rates, plant efficiency, and future energy demand. However, such theoretical estimates should not be confused with economically recoverable reserves or realistic production forecasts.

The challenge is to translate this geological wealth into lasting public benefits. Investment in mining, electricity infrastructure, skills development, and local businesses could create employment and strengthen energy supply. At the same time, groundwater protection, air-quality management, land rehabilitation, and community participation must remain central to development decisions. Thar’s true wealth will ultimately depend not only on the resources beneath its sands, but also on how responsibly they are managed for present and future generations.

From the Ground to the Grid: Thar’s Coal and Salt Resources

The Thar Coalfield has been divided into twelve blocks to facilitate systematic exploration and development. Blocks I and II have entered commercial production, demonstrating the region’s potential to contribute to Pakistan’s energy supply.

Block I, operated by Sino Sindh Resources under a mining lease, has a reported production capacity of 7.8 million tonnes of coal annually. Its output supplies the Shanghai Electric power project, comprising two generating units of 660 megawatts each, with a combined capacity of 1,320 MW.

Block II is operated by the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, with a reported annual production capacity of 7.6 million tonnes. Its coal supports three power projects: Engro Powergen Thar, HUBCO, and ThalNova, each with a generating capacity of 330 MW. Together, these plants provide another 990 MW, bringing the combined capacity of the projects supplied by Blocks I and II to approximately 2,310 MW.

Thar coal offers Pakistan an opportunity to reduce exposure to imported fuels, strengthen domestic energy supply, create employment, and stimulate economic activity in Sindh. However, these benefits must be assessed alongside mining costs, environmental impacts, water requirements, and the need to diversify towards cleaner energy sources over time.

The Salt Lakes of Tharparkar

Beyond coal, Tharparkar possesses valuable salt resources that support local livelihoods. Saran Salt Lake, locally known as Saran Sar, lies near Landhi Saran Road in Taluka Diplo. This shallow, rain-fed lake extends approximately two kilometres, and evaporation leaves salt deposits that local communities collect for commercial use.

The geological origins of the region’s salt lakes remain debated, with one hypothesis linking them to ancient marine environments. Regardless of their origin, these lakes provide an important source of income in a region where livelihoods also depend heavily on livestock and rain-fed agriculture.

In 2008, HubSalt reportedly established two facilities in the area: one at Ankerio, with a stated production capacity of 300,000 tonnes, and another near Mukhai Salt Lake, covering more than 1,200 acres and reportedly producing 200,000 tonnes annually. Other salt lakes include Mokhai, Dagu, Dagu Two, Hathani, and Dabhru, while the Rann salt marsh lies approximately 20 kilometres east of Saran Lake. These production figures and current operational statuses should be independently verified before publication.

Despite this potential, selling unprocessed salt in bulk limits the value retained by local communities. Investment in washing, crushing, drying, grading, packaging, and quality testing could help develop higher-value products for domestic markets. Better branding, transportation, worker training, and access to finance could also create jobs in processing, logistics, and marketing. With appropriate environmental safeguards and sustainable extraction practices, Tharparkar’s salt industry could generate greater local income while supporting long-term rural development.

China Clay and Granite: Unlocking Tharparkar’s Industrial Potential

Nagarparkar Taluka in southeastern Sindh possesses valuable mineral resources, including kaolin, commonly known as china clay. This soft, white mineral forms through the weathering and decomposition of feldspar-rich rocks and serves as an important raw material for industries such as ceramics, paper, paints, and cosmetics.

Nagarparkar’s kaolin deposits occur relatively close to the surface in pockets of varying thickness. Estimates indicate approximately four million tonnes of reserves distributed across 35 zones, with mining reportedly taking place at 12–14 locations. These activities generate employment in extraction, supervision, processing, and transportation, providing income opportunities for surrounding communities.

The mineral’s reported chemical composition, including approximately 46 per cent silicon dioxide and 35.75 per cent aluminium oxide, makes it potentially suitable for various industrial applications, depending on its mineralogy and processing quality. In paper manufacturing, kaolin improves whiteness, opacity, and printability. In ceramics, it contributes to whiteness, strength after firing, and heat resistance. Other applications include paints, rubber, fibreglass, textiles, cosmetics, and selected medical products.

Despite this potential, Pakistan has yet to capture substantial value from its kaolin resources. Figures attributed to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan indicate that domestic deposits can offer competitive quality, although individual deposits require testing against industrial specifications. Reported trade figures for 2021 highlight a substantial gap between Pakistan’s kaolin exports and imports. Limited modern purification and processing capacity may help explain this gap, as many industries require refined material with consistent quality. Investment in beneficiation technology, laboratory testing, efficient drying, and quality certification could improve competitiveness, reduce import dependence, and create skilled employment.

Granite: The Ancient Stone of Karoonjhar

The Karoonjhar Hills near Nagarparkar contain deposits of grey and pink granite and adamellite, a granite-like intrusive rock. Historical estimates published by the Geological Survey of Pakistan for 1977–78 reported approximately 11,811 million tonnes of grey granite, 3,813 million tonnes of pink granite, and 240 million tonnes of adamellite. These figures indicate substantial geological resources, although they should not be interpreted as currently verified, economically recoverable reserves.

Nagarparkar’s granite occurs in several colours, including grey, pink, reddish, and bluish-grey. Its durability and decorative appearance make it potentially suitable for construction, flooring, monuments, and architectural finishes. Developing local cutting, polishing, and finishing facilities could help Pakistan capture more value than exporting or selling minimally processed stone.

However, Karoonjhar is not merely a mineral deposit. Its hills form part of an important ecological, cultural, and archaeological landscape containing historic temples, mosques, and other heritage sites. Any mining proposal must therefore undergo rigorous environmental and heritage assessments, with protected areas excluded from extraction. Responsible planning should balance employment and industrial development with the preservation of Karoonjhar’s irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage.

The Path Forward: Turning Tharparkar’s Mineral Wealth into Sustainable Development

Tharparkar’s mineral wealth presents significant opportunities for Pakistan’s economic growth, industrial development, and rural employment. However, much of this potential remains unrealised because of limited local processing, refining, and value addition. Selling minerals in their raw form often generates modest returns, while higher-value economic benefits accrue to industries and markets elsewhere.

Strategic investment in modern extraction technologies, mineral-processing facilities, quality-control laboratories, skilled workforce development, and improved transport infrastructure could transform this situation. Producing refined china clay, processed salt, finished granite, and other value-added materials locally would strengthen domestic industries, create employment, reduce selected imports, and improve export competitiveness. Reliable geological assessments and transparent regulations are also essential to guide investment and ensure that resource estimates reflect commercially recoverable potential.

Nevertheless, economic development must not undermine environmental sustainability or community welfare. Tharparkar’s fragile desert ecosystem supports livelihoods based on livestock rearing, rain-fed agriculture, and traditional resource management. Mining and industrial activities must therefore account for water scarcity, land degradation, waste disposal, biodiversity conservation, and the rights of local communities. Environmental assessments, rehabilitation plans, community consultation, and fair employment opportunities should be integral to every development project.

Ultimately, Tharparkar’s mineral wealth should be measured not only by the resources extracted but also by the lasting benefits created for its people. With responsible governance, local processing, technological investment, and environmental safeguards, Pakistan can turn these resources into a foundation for inclusive and sustainable development. The real opportunity lies in building industries that generate prosperity while protecting the desert landscape and ensuring that its economic benefits reach the communities who call Thar home.

Conclusion

Tharparkar possesses considerable mineral and energy resources, including lignite coal, salt, china clay, and granite, offering Pakistan opportunities to strengthen energy security, expand domestic industries, and generate rural employment. However, the region’s long-term economic potential depends on moving beyond raw material extraction towards local processing, value addition, and skilled employment. Investment in modern technologies, quality-control systems, infrastructure, and workforce development could improve competitiveness, reduce dependence on selected imports, and increase the benefits retained by local communities. At the same time, resource development must address water scarcity, land degradation, pollution, and the protection of Karoonjhar’s ecological and cultural heritage. Transparent governance, reliable geological assessments, environmental safeguards, and meaningful community participation are essential to ensure responsible exploitation. Development should complement rather than undermine traditional livelihoods based on livestock and rain-fed agriculture. Ultimately, Thar’s true wealth lies not simply beneath its sands, but in its potential to create inclusive prosperity while protecting the environment and improving the lives of future generations.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writers are affiliated with PCRWR, Pakistan and can be reached at nazargul43@gmail.com

Thar Coal and Responsible Mining in Tharparkar, Pakistan

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