(a) whether excessive exploitation of bauxite in the country including Jharkhand has led to decrease in bauxite reserves;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the policies formulated to check such exploitation of bauxite in the country?
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a) & (b): As per information available with the Indian Bureau of Mines, as on 1.4.2005
the all India resources of bauxite are estimated at 3289 million tonnes, out of which 899
million tonnes are reserves. Out of 3289 million tonnes of the total bauxite resources,118
million tonnes (4%) is located in Jharkhand . Out of the total production of the 14 million
tonnes bauxite in the country, Jharkhand reported a production of 1.7 millions tonnes in
2009-10.
Based on the current level of production and resources estimated, the life index of bauxite
resources is estimated at more than 140 years. It is likely that with further exploration in
the unexplored areas and development of technology to use low grade minerals, bauxite reserves
may increase further.
(c): Does not arise in view of (a) & (b) above.