KP CM meets cement industry delegation, announces hike in royalty and push for mineral investment

A delegation of senior officials from various cement factories called on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur to discuss the challenges facing the cement industry and explore avenues for its promotion within the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Thursday.

In a significant development, both sides agreed to increase the cement royalty rate from Rs 250 to Rs 350 per ton. Additionally, it was decided that royalty would rise by 10% for the first two years, followed by a 7.5% increase over the next three years, marking a gradual shift toward a more sustainable revenue model.

Chief Minister Gandapur assured the delegation of all possible support for the development of the cement industry, reaffirming the government's commitment to facilitating industrial growth.

The CM also extended an invitation to investors to explore opportunities in gypsum, placer gold, and value addition of mineral products. He emphasised that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa holds vast untapped potential in key minerals, especially gypsum, which must be systematically explored and developed.

To that end, the provincial government has established its own mining company to ensure efficient resource management and mineral exploration. Modern machinery and mining techniques are being introduced to increase productivity and safety in the sector.

Gandapur further announced the government’s initiative to construct a provincial transmission line, offering concessional electricity from local power plants to industries, a move expected to bolster industrial performance and attract new investors.

"The growth of the industrial sector is essential for tackling unemployment," the Chief Minister stated, highlighting the government's drive to boost provincial income through better mineral management and value-added processing within KP.

The visiting delegation welcomed the government's investment invitations, expressing keen interest in expanding their footprint in mining and power infrastructure development across the province.