Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan has the finest deposits of onyx, needing enhanced infrastructure, proper value addition and modern target marketing to realize its huge socio-economic benefits, opined Abdul Bashir, Chief Geologist of Balochistan-based Koh-e-Daleel Minerals (Pvt) Ltd, while talking to WealthPK. He said, “Across the globe, onyx is in high demand as a construction and decorating material. Balochistan’s finest onyx deposits need proper investment, technology, and infrastructure for their optimum utilization. The whole Chagai belt is rich in onyx. Geologically, wherever the igneous activity takes place, onyx is formed.” Onyx is a sedimentary rock and a silicate mineral usually made of calcite. It is the semiprecious, striped variety of silica mineral agate having black and white alternating bands. It is also used as a gemstone.

On the Mohs scale of hardness, it is rated between 6.5 to 7.0, which shows it is neither extremely tough nor delicate. It is available in a variety of colours, including pink, white, and green and they are all in high demand in the global market. Talking to WealthPK, Abdul Bashir said, “Systematic onyx mining is important. It destroys conventional mining methods, including the use of explosives. Sometimes, it shatters badly and sometimes, it develops deep cracks that are not acceptable on a commercial scale. So, mechanized mining is necessary. It will help save a lot of the mining products.” Onyx is widely used as a building material. Mostly, floors, walls, and countertops are made from it. The policy-makers should consider setting up the onyx mining and value-addition industries on both small and large scales. It will generate revenue, supporting a large number of people to get jobs and business. It will also strengthen the mining sector in the province.

With little attention, Balochistan’s onyx mining industry can contribute to the region’s economic development. Talking to WealthPK about the gem quality onyx, gemstone exporter and former chairman of All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association(APCEA) of rough unpolished precious and semiprecious stones  Zakirullah alias Jhulay Lal said, “For hard stone carvings, ornamentation and jewellery making, onyx is used for long in the human history. It is largely used in artificial jewellery and is available in many colors, including blue, green, red, grey, brown, or gold shades. The colour range of onyx is from lighter to brighter. The most popular one is the opaque or all black.” He said the government should encourage onyx lapidary that can be a large cottage industry as a source of sustainable income. Women can also add value addition to onyx from the comfort of home and can be a helping hand to their family. So, the government’s support is direly needed to popularize the demand for onyx.

Credit: INP-WealthPk