When Pakistan was created in 1947, only few minerals were known to exist in the country. Since then, particularly with the help of the Geological Survey of Pakistan and similar organizations, the presence of other minerals has been confirmed. Despite these findings, there are only about 25 percent to 30 major minerals in Pakistan. In some cases, the quantity and quality of these minerals has not been ascertained, particularly as many are located in inaccessable areas, where infrastructure for their exploitation does not exist. As a result of these constraints, mining is still a minor sector of the country's economy and provides a weak base for industrial development. It accounts for about 0.5 percent of the GNP.
The government has always taken an interest in developing the mining sector. The Geological Survey of Pakistan, which has been operating in the country since independence, is responsible for investigating and mapping minerals deposits. In 1961, the Oil and Gas Development Corporation, established in 1974, is a specialized agency for the exploration and marketing of all minerals. There are additional agencies that are responsible for particular minerals in certain areas, like Saindak Metals Ltd. for copper and other metals in Saindak, Balochistan and Larkana Coal Development Company for coal in Larkana, Sindh. In addition, the development of the mining sector takes place at the provincial level to coordinate the work of the various federal and provincial agencies at work in such a small sector of the economy and that this detracts from their efficiency. Although Pakistan is poor in metallic minerals it has rich deposits of certain non metallic minerals.