Question no.1. What is a mineral? How mineral production data is collected?
Answer: A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid, with a definite chemical composition, and an ordered atomic arrangement. Mineral production data is collected from Provincial Directorates of Mines and Minerals on monthly basis.
Question no.2. Is mineral sector a Provincial or Federal subject?
Answer: The major two minerals that is Crude oil and Natural gas come under the purview of federal government while all other minerals are under the jurisdiction of provincial governments.
Question no. 3. How quantum index is calculated for mineral production?
Answer: Quantum index for mineral production data is calculated using the following Laspayer’s formula.
Where is the production of current (month, quarter and year) and base (month, quarter and year) respectively. W is weight which is derived from value addition. This value addition has been taken from Census of Mining and Quarrying Industries (CMQI).
Question no.4. What do we mean by MMCFT and how it can be converted to any other unit?
Answer: MMCFT stands for Million Cubic Feet. This unit represent volume of gas. This unit may be converted into gross calorific value and thousands of oil equivalent (TOE).
Question. 5. What is US Barrel? How can it be converted to any other unit?
Answer:The US Barrel is common unit used for trade in crude oil internationally. One US Barrel is equal to 158.987 liters. This may be converted into metric ton using 7.454 as a conversion factor.
Question no. 6. Is export and import data of minerals is available with PBS?
Answer: Export and Import data of minerals are available with PBS Trade section. Further, this data may also be seen in PBS monthly and yearly publication like Monthly Bulletin of Statistics and Statistical Year Book.
Question no. 7. Name the most valuable and potential minerals of Pakistan?
Answer: The most potential and valuable minerals of Pakistan includes; Marble, Granite, Coal, Chromite, Gypsum, Copper, Gold, Iron Ore, Lead zinc, Bauxite, Crude oil and Natural gas
Question no. 8. What is the share of minerals in GDP of Pakistan?
Answer: Mineral sector meagerly contributes to GDP (1.62 % in 2022-23)
Question no 9- How many forms of Mineral production data?
Answer: Production of mineral data existing in all three forms i-e Solids (Coal and Cores, Liquids (Petroleum) and gases (natural gas) are covered by PBS.
Question no 10- What are the sources of collection of Mineral Production data?
Answer: The main sources of collection of mineral production data are
- Directorate of Mines & Minerals Punjab
- Directorate of Mines & Minerals Sindh
- Directorate of Mines & Minerals Balochistan
- Directorate of Mines & Minerals KPK
- Directorate of Mines & Minerals AJK and Gilgit Baltistan
Question no.11- What are main users of Mineral Production data?
Answer: The Main users of mineral production data are
National Account (Primary User) UNSD, IMF, UNESCAP, State Bank of Pakistan & Finance Division, Publication of PBS and Economic Surveys of Pakistan.
Question no.12– How many Minerals Data is collected by PBS?
Answer: Almost 51 minerals data is collected by PBS which include Crude Oil and Natural Gas.
Question no.13- What are main objective of Census of Mining & Quarrying Industries (CMQI)?
Answer: The main objectives of the census are to compute Gross Value Addition (GVA), Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) and employment in Mining and Quarrying sector.
Question no.14- What Census of Mining & Quarrying Industries (CMQI) covers?
Answer: It covers all minerals produced in the country, both mining and quarrying
Question no 15- What is Annual Average Growth Rate?
Answer: An indicator which measures the growth trend of a particular variable in the long run. It is calculated by the average of annual growth rates of a variable/series.
Question no 16- What minerals produce the colors in fireworks?
Answer: Mineral elements provide the color in fireworks. Additional colors can be made by mixing elements: Color Produced Element(s) Primary mineral ore(s) bright greens barium barite deep reds strontium celestite blues copper chalcopyrite yellows sodium halite (rock salt) brilliant orange strontium + sodium celestite, halite silvery white titanium + zirconium + magnesium alloys ilmenite, rutile, zircon…
Question no 17-Where can I find information about mineral commodities?
Answer: For statistical information about mineral commodities, visit the USGS Commodity Statistics and Information website. For locations outside the United States, USGS International Minerals Statistics and Information is the best starting point.
Question no 18-What is the difference between a rock and a mineral?
Answer: A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. Common minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, olivine, and calcite. A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals, or a body of undifferentiated mineral matter. Common rocks
Question no 19-Why do different minerals have different shapes?
Answer: It all comes down to atoms. Each mineral’s atomic structure is arranged in predictable, three-dimensional geometric patterns. When repeated, crystals grow larger following the same geometric pattern, forming the distinctive shapes for each mineral.
Question no 20-Why do some minerals sparkle?
Answer: Light interacts with the surfaces of minerals in different ways. Sparkling minerals are often vitreous (glassy) or adamantine (diamond-like) with hard, reflective surfaces. They are usually clear or translucent, allowing light to bounce off the surface as well as through the crystals. The greater the number of surfaces (natural or man-made), the greater the sparkling effect.
Question no 21-How can the same mineral be so many colors?
Answer: When light strikes an object, it reflects certain wavelengths of light back to our eyes, which is how we see its color. If an object appears green, it is reflecting green light and absorbing all the other wavelengths.
A mineral’s structure and chemical composition give it a characteristic color (or sometimes no color at all). Some color shifts are due to trace elements like copper. Other color variations come from structural aberrations in the crystals.
Question no 22- Differentiate between Iron and Ferro-Alloy Metals and Non-Ferrous Metals?
Answer:
| Iron and Ferro-Alloy Metals | Non-Ferrous Metals |
| Alloy means a metal which is formed from the combination of two or more elements. Alloy is stronger and valuable. Some common example of alloys are Brass (Copper +Zinc), Bronze (Copper Tin) and Steel (Iron Carbon) etc. The principal ferroalloys are those of chromium, manganese and silicon (Fenton).
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All other metals which do not include iron came under this category. Currently, this section compiled three minerals data in this category. Bauxite, principal Aluminum (Al) ore, Copper Blister and Laterite
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Question no 23- when was first Gem stone Corporation establish in Pakistan?
Answer: In 1979 Gem stone Corporation of Pakistan had been established.
Question no 24- What is difference between Mining and Quarrying?
Answer:A Quarrying is an open excavation or pit from which stone, rock, sand, gravel, or other construction materials are extracted. Quarries are typically shallow, with the extraction taking place near the surface. The materials are often used for construction purposes, such as in road building, landscaping, or the production of concrete and asphal a mine refers to an underground or surface excavation where minerals, metals, coal, or other valuable substances are extracted. Mines are typically deeper and more extensive than quarries, as they aim to reach valuable resources that are buried beneath the Earth’s surface. Mining involves various methods depending on the type of deposit and the mineral being extracted. This can include underground mining techniques like shaft mining and tunneling or surface mining methods such as open-pit mining and strip mining.
Question no 25- What is Data Collection Methodology of CMQI?
Answer: Primary data is collected from all mines/sites engaged in production.
Question no 26- What are main Indicators covered inCMQI?
Answer:
- Employment
- Production
- Output value
- Input cost
- Gross value Addition
- Investment
Question no 26- What are main Objective of Census/Study on Stone Crushing Industries?
Answer: The main objectives of the census/Study is to compute production of various size, Gross Value Addition (GVA), Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) and employment
Question no 27- What is Data Collection Methodology of Census/Study on Stone Crushing Industries?
Answer: Primary data is collected from all stone crushing units.
Question no 28- what are the Main Census / survey Conducted by Energy & Mining Section?
Answer:
- Census of Mining and Quarrying Industries (CMQI)
- Census of Stone crushing industries
- Census of Exploration/Allied Services Companies
- Census of LNG/CNG Sector
- Study on Precious/Gem Stone
Question no 29- What are Main operators of Census/Study on Exploration and allied services?
Answer: These companies provide services to oil and gas main operators
Question no 30- What is Data Collection Methodology of Census/Study on Exploration and allied services?
Answer: Data will be collected on Questionnaire
Question no 31- What are main Objective of Census on CNG/LNG/LPG Sector
Answer: Capture share of CNG/LNG sector in the GDP.
Question no 32- What is Data Collection Methodology of Census on CNG/LNG/LPG Sector
Answer: Primary data is collected from all CNG stations/ LPG agencies
Question no 33- What is Data Collection Methodology of Study on Precious/Gem Stone?
Answer: Primary data is collected through questionnaire will be filled from Mardan, Swat, GB and AJK etc.
Question no 34- What is energy statistics? How energy data is collected & compiled by PBS?
Answer: Energy statistics refers to collecting, compiling, analyzing and disseminating data on commodities. In economy, energy refers to input used for producing output. Energy is in form of crude oil, natural gas, coal and electricity.
PBS covers the first three components of energy in mining production data that is crude oil, natural gas and coal. Electricity which is secondary source of energy has been covered separately. Electricity data is collected from source agencies as well as from CPPA data sheets.
Question no. 35. What are various units used for measuring mineral production data and electricity?
Answer: The mineral production data is measured in Metric Ton (M.T) which is equal to one thousands kg. The Natural gas is measured in million cubic feet (MMCFt) while crude oil is in US Barrels. Electricity generation and its installed capacity is measured in Megawatt (MW).
Question no. 36. What is difference between Installed capacity and generated electricity?
Answer: The Installed capacity is the capability of an electricity plant while generated electricity is the actual production of the plant. For example Quaid-e-Azam solar park has installed capacity of 100 megawatt (MW). It means that it can generate 100 megawatt in one hour. However, it is not necessary that plant run on full capacity so actual generation most likely to be lower than this.
Question no. 37. Is consumption data is available with PBS?
Answer: Consumption data is not available with PBS. However, consumption data in respect of coal, crude oil, natural gas and electricity is available in Pakistan energy book published by Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP).
Question no.38– What are the sources of collection of Electricity Generation Data?
Answer: The main sources of collection of Electricity Generation Data are :-
WAPDA , K Electric, Pakistan Atomic energy Commission, Quaid –e- Azam Solar Plant and several Other Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Question no.39– Which renewable energy source is the best for Pakistan?
Answer: Hydropower has traditionally been the most prominent source of renewable energy in Pakistan — making up almost a third of electricity generation.
Question no 40- What is Electricity?
Answer: The transfer of energy through the physical phenomena involving electric charges and their effects when at rest and in motion.
Question no 41- what are Data Sources of Electricity in Pakistan?
Answer: The electricity sector of Pakistan is managed by both private and public sectors. Electricity is generated from various sources in the country. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has been collecting electricity generation data on monthly basis from focal agencies and from establishments engaged in generation of electricity such as Nuclear, Hydel, Thermal and Alternate Energy Sources (Wind, Solar etc.)
Question no 42- When was WAPDA Establish?
Answer: WAPDA was established in 1959.
Question no 43- What is position of Pakistan in South Asian region installing Electricity?
Answer: Pakistan has the 2nd largest installed electricity capacity of 40606 MW among the South Asian region
Question no 44-what is Electricity Establishment?
Answer: Any public or private entity which is engaged in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity
Question no 45- What is Watt?
Answer: Watt is a unit of power. A watt is defined as the rate of doing one joule (J) of work in one second. Common units of power are multiple of the watt. These are as under:
- One Watt (W) = 01 J/S
- One Kilowatt (KW) = 103 J/S
- One Megawatt (MW) = 106 J/S
- One Giga watt (GW) = 109 J/S
Question no 46- What is Kilowatt Hours?
Answer: Kilowatt hour is a precise measure of energy and work. It is the work equivalent to 1000 watts (Joules per second) over one hour time.
- Work = Power x Time
- One Kilowatt hour (KWh) = 3.6×103 Joules
- One Megawatt hour (MWh) = 3.6×106 Joules
- One Giga watt hour (GWh) = 3.6×109 Joules
Question no 47- Differentiate between watt and Kilowatt Hours?
Answer:
| Watt | Kilowatt |
| Watt is a unit of power. A watt is defined as the rate of doing one joule (J) of work in one second. | Kilowatt hour is a precise measure of energy and work. It is the work equivalent to 1000 watts (Joules per second) over one hour time. |
Question no 48- What is Installed Capacity of Electricity?
Answer: The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) refers to capacity as the maximum output of electricity that a generator can produce under ideal conditions. Capacity is generally measured in megawatts or kilowatts.
Question no 49- What is Generation of Electricity?
Answer: Electricity generation refers to the amount of electricity that is produced over a specific period of time. This is usually measured in kilowatt-hours, megawatt-hours, or terawatt-hours (1 terawatt equals 1 million megawatts).
Question no 50- Differentiate between Installed Capacity and Generation of Electricity?
Answer:
| Installed Capacity | Generation of Electricity |
| The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) refers to capacity as the maximum output of electricity that a generator can produce under ideal conditions. Capacity is generally measured in megawatts or kilowatts.
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Electricity generation refers to the amount of electricity that is produced over a specific period of time. This is usually measured in kilowatt-hours, megawatt-hours, or terawatt-hours (1 terawatt equals 1 million megawatts). |
Question no 51- what is Gross Value Added in Electricity?
Answer: value added (GVA) is an economic productivity metric that measures the contribution of a corporate subsidiary, company, or municipality to an economy, producer, sector, or region. GVA is the output of the country less the intermediate consumption, which is the difference between gross output and net output. GVA is important because it is used in the calculation of GDP, a key indicator of the state of a nation’s total economy. It can also be used to see how much value is added (or lost) from a particular region, state, or province.
Question no 52- what is rate of Utilization in Electricity?
Answer: Rate of utilization is a measure for plant efficiency. It gives firsthand information regarding plant utilization. As electricity is generated from various sources, its rate of utilization also varies. Rate of utilization is obtained as actual production in a year by its capacity. NTDC and CPPA both use this indicator for merit list.
Question no 53-What is Alternative or renewable Energy?
Answer: Alternative or renewable energy means energy that is produced by alternative or renewable resources. Compared to the conventional these are replenished naturally and do not deplete when consumed and are non-polluting and environment friendly. It includes the following. a. Biomass (including but not limited to bagasse, agricultural waste, and other waste), b. Geothermal, Ocean /Tidal Wave energy, c. Solar (PV or Thermal, or any technology that uses heat and/or light of the sun to make electricity), d. Wind, e. Storage Technologies (Battery systems, Cells of all types, compressed gas, pumped storage), Biogas using any organic material (except fossil fuels), f. Energy from Waste (including but not limited to municipal solid waste, industrial waste, sewage, Refuse Derived Fuel), g. Hydrogen or Synthetic Gas etc.
Question no 54- Define fuel?
Answer: A fuel is defined as any substance burned as a source of heat or energy.
