THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) and (b): Yes, Madam. Geological Survey of India [GSI], an attached
office with the Ministry of Mines has undertaken studies to assess the economic
mineral bearing areas within the Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] and the Territorial
Waters [TW] of India. The details are given in Annexure.
(c): Details of expenditure incurred by the Geological Survey of India for
exploration in offshore areas is given below :-
Year Amount (in crore)
2007-08 Rs.24.04
2008-09 Rs.56.85
2009-10 Rs.27.66
2010-11 Rs.38.71
Annexure
Annexure referred in reply to parts (a) and (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question
No. 4925 for answer on 2nd September,2011 regarding ocean mining.
GSI have delineated economic mineral bearing areas within the Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) of India including the Territorial Waters. The findings of
the surveys are given below:
# Heavy mineral sands comprising ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, monazite
and garnet found off East coast (Orissa and Andhra Pradesh).
# Similar heavy mineral sands comprising ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite,
monazite and garnet have been found off West coast (Kerala –Tamil Nadu).
# Heavy mineral sands comprising ilmenite and magnetite also have been found
off Ratnagiri in the West coast.
# Oolites and calcareous sands have been found in the continental shelf off
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat coast.
# High grade of lime mud occurrences is found in water depth of 100 – 200 m
off Andhra coast.
# High grade lime mud deposit found in water depth of 180 – 1200 m off Gujarat.
# Phosphatic sediment (17 – 19% P2O5) found in water depths of 100 – 200 m
south east off Chennai.
# Phosphatic sediments (15 – 20% P2O5) found in water depths of 200 – 1000 m
off Gujarat coast.
# Reconnaissance Survey, for identification of potential areas for Ocean Thermal
Energy Conversion (OTEC) and occurrences of construction grade sand has been
carried out off Andaman and Nicobar Islands
# Potential areas of occurrences of construction grade sand off Kerala coast
have been identified.
# Occurrence of micro-manganese nodules has been identified, within a wide area
west of Lakshadweep, at water depths ranging from 2800 meters to 4300 meters.
The chemical composition of these nodules are as follows: Manganese: 5% - 41%,
Iron: 0.3 – 5.3%, Copper: 530 – 900 parts per million [ppm]; Lead: 230 – 1600 ppm;
Zinc: 790 – 4800 ppm; Nickel: 700 – 1000 ppm; Cobalt: 80 – 300 ppm; Ferromanganese
encrustations has also been located in the Andaman sea off Batti Malva.
