(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey to discover various mineral reserves/ deposits in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, state and mineral- wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to explore more minerals in future?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of Ministry of Mines, conducts regular surveys to discover various mineral resources in the country by carrying out regional mineral exploration. The details of exploration conducted by GSI are as follows :
I. State-wise and mineral-wise resource estimation during last three years up to 01.04.2014 by GSI:
[Data under Andhra Pradesh includes the newly formed Telengana State also]
State Mineral Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhatisgarh Iron ore Odisha, Maharashtra Manganese ore Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh Phosphorite Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Copper, Lead Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Zinc Ore Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gold ore Karnataka, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Silver Ore Uttar Pradesh Potash Karnataka Baryte Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Limestone Arunachal Pradesh Haryana Gypsum West Bengal Apatite West Bengal Talc West Bengal, Odisha, Coal & lignite Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Graphite Uttar Pradesh Andalusite
(c): GSI is making continuous efforts to explore more mineral resources to increase the mineral wealth of the country by taking up mineral exploration programs every year. GSI has identified certain favorable geological settings in the country which has been termed as “Obvious Geological Potential” (OGP) areas. Geochemical mapping and Geophysical mapping are being taken up on priority basis in the most potential parts of the OGP areas (core OGP areas). Continuous modernization of laboratories and other equipments of GSI is also being carried out for facilitating mineral exploration.Download PDF Files
(Resources in million tonnes)
Sl no. Ore/Minerals PROGRESSIVE TOTAL RESOURCE ESTIMATED up to 01.04.2014
2012 2013 2014
1. Coal 2,93,497.15 2,98,914.06 3,01,564.45 2. Lignite 41,963.00 43,215.86 43246.69 3. Copper Ore 639.07 670.91 691.93 4. Lead-Zinc 533.22 534.41 534.41 5. Iron ore 13,920.29 13,964.62 14,119.96 6. Manganese Ore 182.20 182.55 182.55 7. Limestone 89,279.56 89,605.24 89,856.01 8. Gold Ore 167.27 170.69 176.58 9. PGE 15.29 15.29 15.29 10. Molybdenm 15.46 15.46 15.46 11. Rock Phosphate 199.96 202.62 202.62 12. Potash 404.00 404.00 1,039.30 13. Baryte - 00.18 00.18 14. Silver Ore - 02.32 02.32 15. Graphite - - 04.73 16. Andalusite - - 24.20