Mineral extraction and processing industries: Do they have socioeconomic benefits in a developing country scenario?

Purpose. This study examined the benefits of modernization of small industrial units clustered in Mohmand Marble City, Pakistan focusing on objectives to estimate change in socioeconomic status of rural public living in proximity of Marble City as well as to evaluate increase in productivity of marble tiles and resultant revenue from marble business. Methods. Primary data was collected from respondents to ascertain trends in 2015, 2016 and 2017. These values were projected to 2025 by using computational software GeoGebra. To validate socioeconomic impacts beyond 2025, values of variables were further projected to 2030 using exponential rate model. Findings. Analysis indicated that because of vintage and outdated equipment and plants, presently small marble industrial units were operating at below the optimum potential. These industrial units were required to be clustered in modern Mohmand Marble City. Results showed that after modernization and clustering of small marble industrial units into a modern marble city, socioeconomic status of rural public will be exponentially enhanced, production of marble tiles will be substantially boosted and revenue will increase. Originality. This study used innovative computational software GeoGebra for analysis of data at each stage. It also used catalyst model and exponential rate model to estimate effects of clustering and modernization of mineral industries. In a nutshell, this study is a unique combination of mathematical, computational and spatial framework. Practical implications. The results, conclusions and policy recommendations are globally applicable especially for developing countries to modernize the mineral extraction and processing industries and boost their potential in mineral trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]