Kharan District

Mindat.org

Balochistan, Pakistan

Loading...

Key Information

Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.

  • Kharan District is in north-central Balochistan, Pakistan, known for its desert landscape and mineral deposits.

  • Famous for fine brookite crystals discovered in 2004, with brookite and rutile inclusions in quartz.

  • Features a mix of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, part of the Balochistan plateau.

  • Mining started around 2004, likely small-scale by local collectors.

  • Predominantly Balochi culture, with traditional crafts like carpets and baskets.

  • Arid climate with hot summers and cold winters, minimal rainfall, and desert ecology.

Geographic Location

Kharan District lies in the north-central part of Balochistan, Pakistan, about 294 km from Quetta, the provincial capital. It's at coordinates 28°35'0N 65°25'0E, with an altitude of 692 meters. The area is predominantly desert, with some cultivated tracts along rivers like the Baddo and Mashkel, and it's part of the Rakhshan Division, historically linked to the Balochistan States Union.

Minerals and Mining

This district gained fame in 2004 for its fine brookite crystals, alongside interesting brookite and rutile inclusions in quartz, making it a hotspot for mineral enthusiasts. Mining activities, likely small-scale and initiated by local collectors, began around this time, with key sites like the Nausherwani quartz mine at Char Kohan and Zard Mtn in the Ras Koh Mountains.

Surprising Geological Diversity

It's surprising to find such a variety of rock types—sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic—in this desert region, part of the Balochistan plateau with a complex history tied to the Tethys Sea, supporting the formation of unique minerals like brookite and rutile.

Citations

Wikipedia