An Essay on Mineral Resources of Nepal

The concept of resources is entirely functioning, and it is closely linked to human wants and
capabilities. Nature provides opportunities for humans to demonstrate their abilities and use
their knowledge. This is the most important because it is the source of all other resources.
Human beings are the most dynamic producers as well as the beneficiaries of the entire
resource creation and consumption process. Mineral resources are a type of resource that has
been used to meet human requirements from the beginning of time. Exploitation and effective
use of such valuable resources, are key for the country's economic development.

Minerals are the naturally occurring inorganic solids considered as hidden treasure of country.
Sustainable development of such resources is crucial for industrial development, job creation,
reducing reliance on imported goods and services, saving foreign currency, reducing trade
deficits, strengthening the country's economy, and contributing significantly to national GDP.
Despite the fact that Nepal is designated by the United Nations as a least developed country
(LDC), the government's goal is to graduate from this category by 2022 and transition to a
middle-income country by 2030. If the country's resources are correctly utilized, they might be
the key for development and the way for power, prosperity, and wealth.

Nepal is located in the heart of the 2,500-kilometer Himalayan region, which has suitable
geology for a variety of minerals and mining. Nepal is a developing nation with huge natural
resources, including water, minerals, forests, with over 83 percent of its area in mountainous
regions. Till date, 63 mineral commodities have been identified. Nepal is rich in materials
needed for industry and construction, including limestone, coal, talc, red clay, granite, marble,
gold, and precious and semi-precious stones, to name a few (tourmaline, aquamarine, ruby and
sapphire). Other construction minerals, such as construction aggregates, sand, gravel,
dimension stone, and decorative stones, are also abundant in Nepal.

The production of mineral peaked in the year 2009 i.e. 34,601 metric tons and lowest of 3,400
metric tons in year 2015. The mining sector is unable to utilize the resources and meet the
target as only the minerals requiring less finance are mined and used in production. like
limestone is the mineral found highest in number in Nepal and is used for the production of
cement. It requires less financial resources, therefore, the number of cement industries are
high in number. The places reported to have the precious or important minerals are still
untouched due to lack of facilities. This has resulted in illegal mining, like Phakuwa is reported
to have tourmaline which has high market rate. The mineral is illegally mined by the local
people in the area.