Minerals & Gemstones of AJK

A guide to the mineral wealth of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, based on government data, and the seven gemstones in PERL's registered scope. Select a specimen to see the government figures.

Ruby

Districts: NeelumGemstone

Reservesmillion grams

Proved: 1
Probable: 49
Total: 50

Value at mine head: Rs 25,000 million
Hardness Rating: 9.0 Mohs
Formula: Al₂O₃ : Cr

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Source: Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. These figures are government data for AJK as a whole. They are not PERL's own resources, reserves or holdings. Values are in Pakistani rupees at mine head, as stated by the government source.

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Mineral Deposits of Azad Jammu & Kashmir: Government Data

The table summarises government data for 14 mineral deposits evaluated across AJK. It describes AJK as a whole, not PERL's own holdings. Source: Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Reserves and value at mine head, by mineral (government data)
Mineral	Districts	Reserves				Value at mine head(Rs million)
Mineral	Districts	Proved	Probable	Total	Unit	Value at mine head(Rs million)
RubyGemstone	Neelum	1	49	50	million grams	25,000
BentoniteIndustrial mineral	Mirpur & Bhimber	0.5	4	4.5	million tonnes	6,750
GraniteBuilding stone	Muzaffarabad & Neelum	100	400	500	million tonnes	400,000
MarbleBuilding stone	Muzaffarabad, Neelum & Kotli	19	15	34	million tonnes	34,000
LimoniteMetals	Hattian	0.05	0	0.05	million tonnes	90
CoalEnergy mineral	Muzaffarabad, Kotli	1	29	30	million tonnes	120,000
LimestoneIndustrial mineral	Muzaffarabad	70	30	100	million tonnes	20,000
GypsumIndustrial mineral	Muzaffarabad & Hattian	4	1	5	million tonnes	1,000
BauxiteMetals	Kotli	5	2	7	million tonnes	1,400
FireclayIndustrial mineral	Kotli	5	2	7	million tonnes	1,400
QuartziteIndustrial mineral	Kotli	5	2	7	million tonnes	1,400
PozzolanaIndustrial mineral	Kahuta	0.5	0.5	1	million tons	300
Semi-precious stones (Tourmaline, Topaz etc.)Gemstone	Neelum	Very good potential identified over an area of more than 400 square kilometres in upper Neelum Valley. Reserves estimation is not yet possible; the estimated worth of the deposit is conservative and the actual worth could be more.				25,000
Precious metals (gold etc.) and rare earth elementsMetals	Neelum, Muzaffarabad & Kahuta	Gold and rare earth elements found in a belt of about 850 square kilometres. Further narrowing down of the area and confirmation are under process; the worth of the deposit will be determined on completion of exploration work.				To be determined
Total value at mine head (government data)about Rs 636 billion						636,340

Gemstones in PERL’s registered scope

PERL's Memorandum of Association includes ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz, aquamarine, garnet and tourmaline among the mineral resources within its scope. The notes below describe each gemstone in general terms. They are not claims about any specific deposit or PERL material.

Emerald

Green

Hardness Rating
7.5-8.0 Mohs

Formula
Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ : Cr,V

Commercial Target
Fine jewellery

The green variety of beryl, coloured by traces of chromium and vanadium. Quality, colour and clarity vary widely, and most emeralds contain natural inclusions.
Ruby

Pink-red to red

Hardness Rating
9.0 Mohs

Formula
Al₂O₃ : Cr

Commercial Target
Fine jewellery

The red variety of corundum, coloured by chromium. In this region it is typically found in marble host rock. Colour and clarity vary by deposit.
Sapphire

Blue and other colours

Hardness Rating
9.0 Mohs

Formula
Al₂O₃ : Fe,Ti

Commercial Target
Jewellery

Corundum in any colour other than red. Its hardness makes it one of the most durable gemstones for everyday wear.
Topaz

Colourless, yellow-brown and blue tones

Hardness Rating
8.0 Mohs

Formula
Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂

Commercial Target
Faceted jewellery stones

A hard silicate gemstone that can be very clear. It has perfect cleavage, so it needs careful cutting and setting.
Aquamarine

Pale to medium blue, blue-green

Hardness Rating
7.5-8.0 Mohs

Formula
Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ : Fe

Commercial Target
Faceted stones, collector specimens

The blue to blue-green variety of beryl, often found in pegmatites. It can form large, clean crystals with a glassy lustre.
Tourmaline

Green, pink and multi-coloured

Hardness Rating
7.0-7.5 Mohs

Formula
Complex Borosilicate

Commercial Target
Jewellery, collector specimens

A complex borosilicate found in a very wide range of colours, sometimes several in one crystal. It commonly occurs in pegmatites.
Garnet

Red to purple-red

Hardness Rating
6.5-7.5 Mohs

Formula
X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃

Commercial Target
Jewellery; lower grades as industrial abrasives

A group of related silicate minerals. Gem garnets are usually red to purple-red, and lower grades are widely used as abrasives.