(a) whether the government have accorded approval to conduct an aerial survey of 67 thousand square kilometres of area in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra in order to explore the possibilities of reserves of gold, silver and other precious metals; and
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the progress made so far in this regard ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS
( SMT. RITA VERMA )
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. As on date, the Central Government in the Department of Mines have accorded its approval under Section 5(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to the grant of 65 prospecting licences covering a total area of around 90,142 Sq. Kms. for aerial prospecting in the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in order to explore the possibilities of reserves for gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, bismuth and associated minerals. This includes 53 effective prospecting licences granted to various companies covering an area of around 73,925 Sq. Kms. in Rajasthan. So far, aerial prospecting has been done only in the State of Rajasthan and the progress made by various licencees as reported by the State Government of Rajasthan is appended as Annexure.
ANNEXURE
Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 345 to be answered on 25.2.2000 asked by Shri Mohan Rawale regarding Aerial Survey for Gold Reserves.
PROGRESS OF AERIAL PROSPECTING MADE BY VARIOUS LICENCEES IN RAJASTHAN
A. M/s. HZL AND BHP MINERALS :
M/s. HZL and BHP Minerals are jointly conducting exploration programme in the State. Initially they had eight PL areas covering around 16315 Sq. Kms., out of which around 8400 Sq. Kms. area has been relinquished after preliminary survey. Subsequently, they have acquired an additional area of around 9255 Sq. Kms. under another 11 PLs.
Airborne geophysical survey and ground follow-up work in the PL blocks is being carried out and by airborne survey, 242 anomalies have been identified. In ground survey mapping for 172 anomaly sites, geophysics for 114 anomaly sites and geochemistry for 66 sites have been completed. Further drilling in 55 anomaly areas has been carried out with a total of 9844.30 m. drilling spread over 85 bore-holes. Most of the bore-holes are short (90-110 m. deep). In Kakalwar, Malikhera, Ranla, Maha Khurd, Lampiya, Malikhera, Salara, Asaholi, Somi, Lasariya Ka Khera, Samodi, Rampura, Urja Ka Kheda areas, Copper from 50 to 500 ppm has been reported.
B. M/s. ACC RIO TINTO EXPLORATION LTD.
Out of sanctioned area of around 2432 Sq. Kms., an area of around 1222 Sq. Kms. has been relinquished. Airborne survey has been completed and data is to be processed subject to clearance from Defence Department.
C. M/s. MERIDIAN MINERALS INDIA LTD. (MMIL):
MMIL has six prospecting licences in which aerial survey, LANDSAT MSS image studies, regional geological studies etc. have been completed and a total of 47 target areas have been identified, out of which, field assessment of 27 areas have been done so far and five principal prospects have been identified. Results are encouraging and a number of anomalous zones for lead, zinc, copper silver values have been observed. Around 318 Sq. Kms. area has been relinquished after preliminary work.
D. M/S. WSIL MINERALS SANDS INDIA (P) LTD.
M/s. WSIL Minerals Sands has 5 prospecting licences. Out of the areas sanctioned, airborne survey in Udaipur, Bhilwara and Ajmer districts have been completed. Data have also been processed but M/s. WSIL Minerals Sands have not submitted the report. Recently in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh district, preliminary sampling from streams has been done and samples have been sent for processing. Results will be available in 2/3 months. Further airborne survey will be planned on the basis of the results. ......