Dr. Hamid Ashraf is a highly accomplished professional with a PhD in Mineral Policy Development, Mineral Resource Management, and Mining Cadastre Systems from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Pakistan. With a multifaceted career spanning civil engineering, academia, and geospatial technologies, Dr. Ashraf has emerged as a leading figure in mineral resource management, policy development, and geospatial hazard assessment. Currently, Dr. Ashraf is at the forefront of Pakistan’s government initiatives to harmonize the mineral regulatory framework with global best practices and revitalize the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP). He is leading the accelerated geological mapping and mineral exploration program, aimed at unlocking Pakistan’s vast mineral potential. In addition, he serves as the Head of the Department of Mineral Resource Management at the NUST Balochistan Campus, where he has played a pivotal role in establishing the department and launching postgraduate programs (MS and PhD) in record time. His research focuses on mineral policy development, mining cadastre systems, geospatial modeling of mining risks, and geospatial hazard assessment using remote sensing and GIS technologies. Dr. Ashraf has spearheaded several transformative projects, including the establishment of Pakistan’s first-ever Mining Cadastre System for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, a landmark achievement that has revolutionized the country’s mineral sector. His expertise in gap analysis of mineral policies in Balochistan and KP has provided critical insights for policy refinement and implementation. In addition to his policy and academic contributions, Dr. Ashraf has conducted avalanche risk assessments in the Himalayas and Karakoram Ranges and is actively involved in geospatial modeling of mine collapse risks as part of the Digimine Research Group at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has also served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Gem & Jewellery (PM-TF-J&G) and led feasibility studies on capacity enhancement in Pakistan’s mining industry. Dr. Ashraf’s innovative contributions include the development of Production Reporting & Monitoring Systems, Ore Production Monitoring Systems using remote sensing, and Prospecting License to Mining License Conversion Systems for the KP government. His work on mineral exploration using hyperspectral imagery and geophysical methods has further cemented his reputation as a pioneer in the field. With a career dedicated to advancing sustainable development in Pakistan’s mineral sector, Dr. Hamid Ashraf continues to drive innovation, policy reform, and resource management, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth and industrial progress
