Lahore: Punjab’s mining sector has seen significant but irregular expansion over the past fifty years, with varying growth patterns across different minerals, according to a new analysis. The data, derived from the Punjab Development Statistics for 50 Years (1972-2021), indicates that while industrial minerals like rock salt have shown robust growth, traditional outputs such as coal have experienced volatility.

According to Gilani Research Foundation, the analysis is part of Gallup Pakistan’s Big Data series, initiated by Bilal I. Gilani, Executive Director of Gallup Pakistan. The series aims to enhance accessibility and understanding of large datasets to better inform policy and public discourse. The current edition focuses on production trends for major minerals such as coal, rock salt, limestone, gypsum, fireclay, and silica sand over five decades.

Key findings reveal that coal production increased from 3,602 to 4,791, peaking at 6,837 in 2013-14, demonstrating long-term growth with significant volatility. In contrast, rock salt production rose consistently from 2,979 to 25,267, marking the most substantial expansion among all minerals. Limestone and gypsum also showed steady growth, with limestone rising from 8,806 to 30,956 and gypsum from 1,669 to 10,696.

Fireclay and silica sand expanded rapidly from low bases, with fireclay increasing from 213 to 8,985 and silica sand from 294 to 3,849. Smaller minerals like bauxite and bentonite exhibited gradual increases but remain limited in overall scale. The data also highlights a broad acceleration in production across multiple minerals after the early 2000s.

However, recent declines across key minerals suggest a shift from earlier expansion phases to a period of adjustment. Coal production fell from its peak in 2013-14 to 4,791 in 2020-21, and rock salt declined from its peak in 2018-19 to 25,267 in 2020-21. The most significant drop was observed in fireclay, which decreased from 59,541 in 2017-18 to 8,985 in 2020-21. Silica sand also declined from its peak in 2018-19 to 3,849 in 2020-21.

These trends indicate that while certain segments of Punjab’s mining sector have expanded rapidly, others are stabilizing or correcting following earlier peaks. This uneven growth reflects varying stages of maturity and adjustment within the sector, according to the analysis.