PMDC is an autonomous corporation under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources , Government of Pakistan. It was established in 1974 with an authorized capital of Rs.1,000 million to expand and help mineral development activities in the country. .

Its major functions include:

• Detailed exploration and evaluation of economic mineral deposits.
• Preparation of techno-economic feasibility reports.
• Mining
• Marketing

PMDC is operating 4 Coal Mines, 4 Salt Mines/ quarries and a silica sand quarry. PMDC shares 17% of the coal and 58% of the total salt production in the country. Its annual turn over during the year 2006-07 was Rs. 938.820 million. 

Present manpower strength of PMDC is given hereunder as on 30.04.2008:

Within its charter PMDC joins hands with local and international private and semi-autonomous/autonomous agencies as joint ventures both for exploration and mining.

Joint Ventures with FATA Development Authority:

• Exploration & Resource estimation for Coal Sherani Area, F.K.D.I Khan.
• Exploration and Development of Copper in North Waziristan.

PMDC provides free medical facilities to its mining community and all other employees. It is also running two Secondary Schools, one Women College at graduate level and a Mine Survey Institute imparting education to the mining as well as local community. It has developed a tourist resort at Khewra to cater social services and save national mining heritage.