Soapstone deposits of the Sherwan area, Hazara District, Pakistan

The soapstone deposits in the Sherwan area, Hazara District, are mostly in a narrow 10 mile zone in the dolomite unit of the Abbottabad Formation of probable Carboniferous age. Most of the deposits are at the eastern end on the northern flank of a syncline.

Soapstone forms irregular replacement bodies as much as 100 feet thick along bedding shears, and also along a set of fracture zones which trend N. 80° W. Alteration zones, characterized by secondary microcrystalline and coarsely crystalline dolomite, commonly are associated with the soapstone.

Mining in this area, which commenced in 1952, was done originally by surface cuts; now all the operations are underground. Most production comes from five mines: the Khanda Khu, Chelethar, Bandi, Pnnjkuian, and Kharan mines. Total production is uncertain; but based on the 2,285 feet of tunnel length and on the size of the surface cuts, it is estimated to be about 20,000 tons. Indicated reserves are slightly more than 200,000 tons.