PESHAWAR (Kashmir English): The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the alleged illegal mining and multi-billion-rupee leasing irregularities of Placer Gold involving top officials of the KP Mines and Mineral Development Department.
The case came into public attention after senior journalist Irfan Khan raised questions on these contracts of Rs4.92 billion, which were given to certain companies despite legal and procedural issues, as highlighted in his vlog recently.
As per the details mentioned above, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minerals Department had given out contracts for four placer gold blocks after surveying the respective area from 2012 to 2015, where the deposits of gold were found.
Contracts in question consist of Block A in Swabi to M/S Globakor Metals Private Limited for Rs1.25 billion, Block B in Swabi to M/S Machko Private Limited for Rs1.26 billion, Block C, including Nowshera and Kohat, to M/S Himalayan Earth Exploration Private Limited for Rs1.305 billion, and Block D in Kohat to M/S Shakardara Minerals Private Limited for Rs1.111 billion.
As per allegations, the total amount of these contracts stood at around Rs. 4.92 billion.
According to the journalist, there was a stay order given by the Peshawar High Court regarding the legality of the allocation process. Allotment letters, however, were said to have been issued on November 13, 2024.
It was also claimed that the agreements for the blocks were not signed within the stipulated time frame, and yet the lessees were permitted to start work. More than 1,500 excavators were later seen working at the site.
Successful bidders, according to the allegation, did not provide an environmental impact assessment and a mining plan as is mandatory as per the mining rules.
Records and documents related to the matter have been requested by the NAB from the Minerals Department. The inquiry is looking into matters related to the fixation of reserve price, geological study, and Mineral Auction Rules 2022, and why there was no success in the earlier auctions.
The accountability watchdog is also reviewing whether any public officials or other individuals influenced the process or benefited from the contracts. No official findings have yet been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.
