The mountainous land of Kohlu may be rich of minerals, but lack of interest in exploration of mineral resources by the government and the non-co-operative attitude of the local elite are the main reasons that so far very limited mining activities have been carried out in the district. It has been, and is, the stand point of the local tribal-political leaders that the government has no right to explore and exploit minerals from the tribal territory of Kohlu. Thus hurdles have been created and explorers have been prevented from doing their work. Although the government has taken many positive steps to develop rapport between the local elite and the government, this situation still exists and consequently the natural resources of the district are either unexplored or not exploited.

According to the Inspectorate of Mines, annually a total of 1,513.36 metric tonnes of coal is being mined out from one mine in Kohlu. The Inspectorate has also indicated occurrence of sulphur and salt in the district. The exploration of oil and gas in Barkhan, a neighbour district of Kohlu, confirms the reports that there are petroleum reserves in Kohlu district. However, no further progress has been possible due to resistance by the local elite to any attempt towards exploration and exploitation.

Keeping in view the mountainous nature of the land, occurrence of mineral is quite possible in Kohlu but the negative and non-co-operative attitude of the local elite is one of the major hurdles to their exploration. The government would have to facilitate the explorers and provide them security. The attitudes of the local population may be changed through awareness creation. They should be assured that the exploration and onward exploitation of the mineral resources in the district will not only benefit the national economy, but will also help socio-economic development of the area.