FPSC (Federal Public Service Commission) · CSS (Central Superior Services)
Minerals of Pakistan
Geography of Pakistan
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
109 MCQs
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of 109 MCQs
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1
The Reko Diq mine, famous for having one of the world's largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits, is located in which district of Balochistan?
Answer:
Chagai
Reko Diq is situated in the Chagai District of Balochistan. It is part of the Tethyan Belt and is estimated to contain massive reserves of copper and gold, making it a project of immense strategic and economic importance for Pakistan's mining sector.
2
Which coal mine in Sindh contains one of the largest lignite coal reserves in the world?
Answer:
Thar
The Thar coalfield is one of the largest lignite coal reserves globally, estimated at around 175 billion tons. This massive resource is being utilized for large-scale power generation projects to provide a sustainable and indigenous energy source for the country.
3
The Khewra Salt Mine, the second-largest salt mine in the world, is located in which mountain range?
Answer:
Salt Range
The Khewra Salt Mine is part of the Salt Range in the Jhelum District of Punjab. It has been a major source of rock salt for centuries and is a famous tourist destination, known for its vast tunnels and unique pink Himalayan salt formations.
4
Which city is renowned for its high-quality emerald deposits in Pakistan?
Answer:
Swat
Swat is famous for its emerald mines, particularly those in the Mingora area. Pakistani emeralds are highly valued in the international gemstone market for their deep green color and transparency, rivaling those found in Colombia.
5
The Saindak Copper-Gold Project, which involves the extraction of copper, gold, and silver, is a joint venture with which country?
Answer:
China
The Saindak project in Balochistan is operated by the MCC (Metallurgical Corporation of China) in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan. It has been a significant producer of copper and gold blister for export for several decades.
6
Chromite, an essential mineral for making stainless steel, is found in large quantities in which area of Balochistan?
Answer:
Muslim Bagh
Muslim Bagh, located in the Zhob District, is the primary center for chromite mining in Pakistan. The chromite found here is of high metallurgical grade and is largely exported to other countries for industrial use in steel production.
7
In which province are the largest deposits of high-quality marble and granite found?
Answer:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) possesses vast reserves of marble and granite, particularly in districts like Buner, Mardan, and Swat. The province is the backbone of Pakistan's marble industry, producing various colors and textures used in construction nationwide.
8
Where was the first major discovery of natural gas made in Pakistan in 1952?
Answer:
Sui
The first and largest discovery of natural gas was made at Sui in the Dera Bugti District of Balochistan. This discovery revolutionized Pakistan's energy sector, leading to the establishment of an extensive gas pipeline network across the country.
9
The Kalabagh region is significant for possessing large reserves of which mineral?
Answer:
Iron Ore
Kalabagh, located in the Mianwali District of Punjab, holds substantial reserves of iron ore. Although the ore has a lower iron content compared to international standards, it remains a critical potential resource for the domestic steel industry.
10
Which of the following minerals is primarily used in the manufacturing of cement and is found abundantly in the Salt Range?
Answer:
Limestone
Limestone is a key raw material for the cement industry, and its abundance in the Salt Range and other hilly tracts has allowed Pakistan to become a major producer and exporter of cement in the region.
11
Pakistan's primary reserves of Copper-Gold are hosted within which tectonic feature?
Answer:
Chagai Magmatic Arc
The Chagai Magmatic Arc in western Balochistan is a prolific geological belt that hosts world-class porphyry copper-gold deposits like Reko Diq and Saindak. This belt was formed by the subduction of the Arabian plate under the Eurasian plate.
12
Which gemstone, often referred to as 'pigeon blood red,' is found in the Hunza Valley?
Answer:
Ruby
The Hunza Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan is famous for its ruby deposits. These rubies are known for their high quality and deep red hue, and they are typically found embedded in marble formations within the high mountain ranges.
13
The Gunga Barite mine, a major source of barite used in oil well drilling, is located near which city?
Answer:
Khuzdar
Khuzdar is the primary area for barite production in Pakistan. Barite is essential for the oil and gas industry as it is used as a weighting agent in drilling mud to prevent high-pressure blowouts during exploration.
14
Which district of Punjab is the main producer of Gypsum, used widely in the agriculture and plaster industries?
Answer:
Jhelum
Large deposits of Gypsum are found in the Salt Range, particularly around Jhelum and Mianwali. It is used in agriculture to treat saline soils and in the construction industry for making Plaster of Paris and cement.
15
Phosphate reserves, used for making fertilizers, are primarily found in which area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
Answer:
Abbottabad (Hazara)
The Hazara region, especially around Abbottabad, contains significant phosphate deposits. These reserves are vital for the domestic fertilizer industry, helping to increase agricultural yields by providing essential nutrients to the soil.
16
Which area in Sindh is known for possessing large reserves of China Clay (Kaolin)?
Answer:
Nagar Parkar
Nagar Parkar in the Tharparkar District of Sindh is famous for its high-quality China Clay deposits. China Clay is used in the ceramics industry for making tiles, sanitary ware, and fine porcelain products.
17
Where was Pakistan's first oil well drilled in 1915?
Answer:
Khaur
The first oil discovery in Pakistan occurred at Khaur in the Potohar Plateau (Attock District) in 1915. This marked the beginning of the petroleum industry in the region, which continues to be a focus for onshore oil exploration.
18
The Dilband Iron Ore deposit is located in which province?
Answer:
Balochistan
Dilband is located in the Kalat District of Balochistan. It is one of the more significant iron ore deposits in Pakistan and has been studied extensively for its potential to supply the national steel requirements.
19
Which radioactive mineral is mined at Baghalchur in the Dera Ghazi Khan district?
Answer:
Uranium
Baghalchur in D.G. Khan was the site of Pakistan's first uranium mine. Uranium is a critical mineral for the country's nuclear energy program and its strategic defense capabilities, used as fuel for nuclear reactors.
20
In which region of Pakistan are pink Topaz gemstones found?
Answer:
Katlang (Mardan)
Katlang in the Mardan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the only place in the world besides Brazil that produces high-quality natural pink topaz. This rarity makes Katlang topaz highly sought after by gemstone collectors worldwide.
