(a) the percentage of exploration of the total mineral wealth of the country
undertaken so far;
(b) whether exploration activities being carried out by various agencies are
adequate to tap the mineral reserves across the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken/ proposed by the Government to scale up the quality of mineral
resources exploration, extraction and also to strengthen their management in the country?
THE MINISTER OF MINES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.161 REGARDING ‘MANAGEMENT
OF MINERAL RESOURCES’ ASKED BY SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA AND SHRI P.K. BIJU FOR ANSWER ON
08TH MARCH 2013.
(a) : India has a total land area of 32.80 lakh square kilometres (sq. km). Geological
Survey of India [GSI], as a part of regional exploration has completed baseline geological
mapping of 30.90 lakhs sq. km. This led to identification of an area of 5.71 lakh sq.km having
high potential for mineral resources. For further enhanced exploration, GSI is undertaking
geophysical and geochemical mapping and has completed geochemical mapping of 3.28 lakh sq. km
and geophysical mapping of 1.95 lakh sq. km.
(b) to (e) : Based on the baseline mapping carried out by GSI, a number of exploration
agencies such as Atomic Minerals Directorate, Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited, State
Directorates of Geology and Mining, State/ Central Undertakings and private enterprises are
engaged in detailed exploration of mineral deposits. Mineral exploration is a continuous
process. GSI, being the principal agency for mineral resource assessment of the
country, has taken the following major steps for accelerating mineral exploration:
# Government restructured GSI in October 2011 and created 1353 technical posts.
# Inducted more than 400 geoscientists in GSI since 2011.
# Adoption of multisensor aero-geophysical airborne surveys and Hyper spectral mapping.
# Integrated surveys for targeting concealed and deep-seated mineral deposits.
# Introduction of high precision gravimeter, total field magnetometer for geophysical surveys
and state-of-the-art chemical analyses instruments for generating precise elemental data.
# Acquiring state of art and modern Ocean Going Research Vessel to replace existing ResearchVessel.
For further strengthening the management of mines and minerals, Mines and Minerals [Development
and Regulation][MMDR] Bill 2011 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 12.12.2011 to replace
existing MMDR Act of 1957.