The census covered establishments engaged in mining and quarrying activities relating to extraction of minerals and fossil fuels whether solid, liquid or gas, both in the private and public sectors in all the provinces and federal capital, Islamabad. The Northern Areas, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were, however, out of the scope of this census.

The lists of mining lessees and licenses of all minerals (Mining Directories) except crude oil and natural gas that existed during the year 1999-2000 along with the leases and licenses number held by them were obtained from the provincial Directorates of Mineral Development located at Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. The list of lessees and licenses of crude oil and natural gas that existed during the year 1999-2000 were obtained from the Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Islamabad.