Nepal currently has 13 cement factories with a combined production capacity of 8,450 tonnes per day, while 10 more industries are under construction. “The private sector has largely tapped the abundant limestone we have,” said Pashupati Murarka, vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), adding it is difficult for the private sector to exploit other resources due to the lack of infrastructure.

In the case of cement, Nepal has become almost self-reliant. “If we get enough energy, we can now export cement to cities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and other bordering Indian towns,” said Murarka.

According to the report, limestone deposits have been identified in places like Udaypur, Dhankuta, Sindhuli, Makwanpur, Lalitpur, Dhanding, Syangja, Argakhanchi, Surkhet, Dang, Salyan, Baitadi and Palpa.

The report says the Kathmandu valley has 316 million cubic metre of natural gas and Dolkha has 180 million tonnes of magnesite. Similarly, Phulchauki in lalitpur, Those in Ramechhap and Dhaubadi in Nawalparashi have 10 million tonnes of magnesite each.

A total of 14 million tonnes of copper quarries have been identified in Wapsa in Solukhumbu, Kalitar in Makwanpur, Chitwan, Tanahu and Dadeldhura.

Likewise, Dolkha, Tanahu, Myagdi, Kaski have 14 million tonnes of “khari”, Dang, Rolpa, Palpa and Argakhanchi have 5 million tonnes of coal mine.

Marble mines have been identified in Lalipur and Kavre, while Rolpa, Baitadi, Darchula, Bajhang and Illam have gold, copper and glass mines.

With the identification of abundant minerals, the government and the private sector have agreed to establish industries on the quarries. Nine private sector parties have agreed to operate industries to extract limestone, metal, copper, marble, gold and glass. Similarly, two industries based on metal and four based on limestone are coming into operation.