http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10351 2026-09-15T21:15:35Z 2026-09-15T21:15:35Z Ali Naqi, 09-262242-012 http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/21675 2026-09-03T09:15:30Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Geochemical Assessment and Resource Potential of the Critical Minerals in Salt Range Formation, Punjab, Pakistan: An Integrated Approach Using AI and Ml for Renewable Energy Resources Ali Naqi, 09-262242-012 The increasing demand for critical minerals required in renewable-energy technologies has encouraged the reassessment of underexplored sedimentary and evaporitic successions. This study evaluates the reconnaissance-level critical-element potential of the Salt Range Formation, Punjab, Pakistan, with emphasis on lithium and associated strategic elements in the Billianwala Salt, Sahwal Marl, and Bandarkas Gypsum members. A total of 23 representative samples were collected from salt, marl, and gypsum lithologies and analyzed through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). The results are interpreted as aqua-regia-extractable geochemical concentrations where aqua regia digestion was used, rather than total-rock abundances, because this method mainly dissolves soluble salts, carbonates, sulfides, oxides, organic matter, claybound fractions, and weakly adsorbed phases, but may not completely dissolve resistant silicate minerals. The geochemical dataset was assessed through lithology-wise comparison, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, K-Means clustering, Isolation Forest anomaly detection, and integrated exploration-priority ranking. The results show that critical-element enrichment is not uniformly distributed across the evaporitic succession. Instead, enrichment is mainly controlled by lithology. Marl samples show the strongest relative enrichment in lithium, boron, rare earth elements, uranium, vanadium, and zinc, whereas rock salt and gypsum display more selective evaporite-related signatures, particularly for strontium, barium, and potassium. The highest aqua-regia-extractable lithium value is recorded in Marl-7, followed by other marl-dominated samples, indicating localized enrichment within fine-grained reactive facies rather than broad enrichment throughout the formation. The AI/ML component was used as an exploratory decision-support tool, not as definitive proof of mineralization. Because the dataset is limited and lacks independent mineralization labels, supervised model accuracy is not emphasized. Instead, multivariate and anomalydetection methods are used to recognize geochemical patterns and identify priority samples for follow-up work. The results do not establish an economically viable criticalmineral deposit. Future work should include denser sampling, total digestion, XRD, SEM-EDS, petrography, and mineral-host validation to assess the true resource significance of the identified anomalies Supervised by Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khan

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Umar Zaman, 09-262242-021 http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/21674 2026-09-03T08:58:16Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Geochemical Assessment and Resource Potential of the Critical Minerals in Sardhai Formation, Punjab, Pakistan Umar Zaman, 09-262242-021 This study presents a geochemical characterization and mineral potential of the Sardhai Formation, an Early Permian clay dominated unit of the Nilawahan Group exposed within the Salt Range fold and thrust belt of Pakistan. Twenty-two clay samples collected from two outcrop localities near Kallar Kahar were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to evaluate the formation's critical mineral inventory. Because the unit is lithologically uniform, the dataset offers a controlled framework in which elemental variability can be attributed primarily to post depositional processes rather than primary depositional differences. Results show mean values of; lithium (0.26398 ppm), vanadium (1.06501 ppm), manganese (2.19484 ppm), beryllium (0.04840 ppm), gallium (0.12050 ppm), niobium (0.07946 ppm), nickel (0.11183 ppm), chromium (0.34034 ppm), zirconium (0.03512 ppm), hafnium (0.00723 ppm), titanium (0.35212 ppm), the light rare earth elements (0.56496 ppm), and lastly uranium at (0.28650 ppm), they occur at the highest and are most consistently quantifiable concentrations. Non oxidized samples consistently retain higher concentrations of these elements than their oxidized counterparts, indicating that oxidative weathering, structurally driven fluid rock interaction, and the formation's position within the fold and thrust belt, rather than original sedimentary composition, govern present day critical mineral distribution. One sample constitutes a distinct multi element, rare earth enriched anomaly. Despite these detectable patterns, absolute concentrations remain below economic threshold throughout, and the dataset is best characterized as reconnaissance level rather than indicative of economic mineralization. The findings nonetheless demonstrate that fine grained clay successions in the Salt Range can act as meaningful repositories of critical elements and establish a baseline for future investigation. Recommended follow up work includes denser, non-oxidized patch focused sampling, clay phase identification, sequential extraction, fluid inclusion and isotopic studies, and structural mapping, all of which are necessary before any assessment of resource potential can be responsibly made Supervised by Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khan

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Muhammad Shoaib Kamal, 09-262242-016 http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/21673 2026-09-03T08:47:53Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Critical Minerals in Sedimentary System: A Case Study of Dhok Pathan Formation, Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Muhammad Shoaib Kamal, 09-262242-016 The present study evaluates the distribution and preliminary prospectivity of selected critical, economic, and industrial mineral-related elements in the Dhok Pathan Formation of Karak District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The formation, belonging to the Siwalik Group, is mainly composed of fluvial sandstone, mudstone, siltstone, and locally conglomeratic beds. The objective of this research was to determine the elemental concentrations of selected samples and assess the preliminary critical mineral potential of the formation. Twenty soil samples were collected from weathered and oxidized horizons developed on exposed sandstone mudstone/siltstone successions of the Dhok Pathan Formation at Takht-e-Nasrati and Shanawa Gudikhel. The samples were prepared, digested, and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) for selected major, trace, critical, economic, and industrial mineral-related elements. The results show measurable concentrations of critical mineral-related elements including Li, Co, Ni, Cr, Ti, U, V, and Zr. Titanium shows the highest concentration among the critical element group, ranging from 1809.00 to 2904.89 ppm, followed by V, Cr, Ni, Li, Co, Zr, and U. Economic mineral-related elements are mainly represented by Fe and Ti, with Fe ranging from 21852.14 to 31447.00 ppm and Ti ranging from 1809.00 to 2904.89 ppm. Other elements, including Ba, Mn, Sr, Cr, V, Ni, Co, Li, and U, occur in variable concentrations. Industrial mineral-related elements such as Al, K, Na, Ca, and Mg are also present in the analyzed samples. Although the measured concentrations do not indicate ore-grade mineralization, the repeated occurrence of selected critical and trace elements suggests that the Dhok Pathan Formation has preliminary geochemical significance. Further detailed sampling, mineralogical confirmation, and spatial geochemical analysis are recommended before any resource-level interpretation is made. Supervised by Dr. Adil Naseer

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Nauman Ali, 01-262221-017 http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/19892 2025-08-19T06:41:43Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Microfacies Analysis and Biostratigraphy of Lockhart Limestone Kuza Gali Hazara Basin Pakistan Nauman Ali, 01-262221-017 The Lockhart Limestone, a prominent Paleocene carbonate unit in northern Pakistan's Hazara Basin that provides important information about the geological, depositional, and diagenetic processes of the area. This study uses petrographic examinations of exposures in the Kuza Gali region as well as field observations to investigate its lithological, biostratigraphic, and diagenetic features. The limestone exhibits notable diagenetic changes, including micritization, neomorphism, and stylolitic fabrics, and is distinguished by medium-grained, nodular lithology interbedded with shale and marl. Important benthic foraminifera, such as Lockhartia haimei and Miscellanea miscella, were found by biostratigraphic research to be suggestive of a Thanetian (Upper Paleocene) date and deposition in warm, shallow marine habitats. Four depositional types, bioclastic packestone, wackestone, wacke-packestone, and mud-wackestone, were identified by microfacies analysis, representing environments ranging from open maritime shelves to enclosed lagoons. Its potential as a reservoir for minerals and hydrocarbons was increased by the strong influence of diagenetic processes under burial, meteoric, and marine settings on porosity and permeability. The stratigraphic context points to deposition during the closure of the Neo-Tethys Sea in a tectonically stable environment. To improve paleogeographic interpretations and evaluate resource viability, this study emphasizes the importance of the Lockhart Limestone in reconstructing regional paleoenvironmental and tectonic histories as well as its economic potential. It also suggests that future research integrate sedimentological modeling, isotopic studies, and geochemical analyses. Supervised by Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khan

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z