Pakistan’s mining and quarrying sector recorded a marginal growth of 0.4 percent in FY2026, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey released today.
The sector posted growth after four consecutive years of contraction, showing a slight recovery in mineral extraction during the year.
The survey showed strong growth in the extraction of several minerals during July-March FY2026. Magnesite recorded the highest increase at 164.8 percent, followed by rock salt at 109.9 percent. Gypsum extraction increased by 67.0 percent, while iron ore rose by 41.5 percent.
Ocher extraction grew by 31.7 percent, limestone increased by 25.1 percent, and coal production rose by 6.5 percent during the same period.
On the other hand, production of several minerals declined during July-March FY2026.
Sulphur recorded the sharpest decline at 68.0 percent. Chromite production fell by 51.3 percent, while soapstone declined by 24.7 percent.
Barytes production dropped by 20.7 percent, natural gas declined by 3.7 percent, and crude oil production fell by 0.6 percent.
The Economic Survey shows that Pakistan’s mining and quarrying sector returned to slight growth in FY2026, but performance remained uneven across different minerals.
While magnesite, rock salt, gypsum, iron ore, and limestone recorded significant increases, sulphur, chromite, soap stone, barytes, natural gas, and crude oil remained under pressure.