GSI TRACES NEW MINERAL DEPOSITS

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Backgrounder

Established in 1851, Geological Survey of India has the proud distinction of being one of the oldest Geological Survey in the world. This organisation which started with one officer and a writer, has grown up immensely and presently has staff strength of 17,094 belonging to scientific, technical and administrative streams.

The activities of GSI spread from the lofty peaks of the Himalayas to the icy continent of Antarctica and from the deserts of Rajasthan to the depths of the Ocean. GSI plays a vital role in the nation building activities through significant contributions in locating hidden mineral wealth and providing basic raw materials for varied industries. Substantial geoscientific and geotechnical inputs are given to hydroelectric, irrigation and communication projects. Environmental management plans and seismotectonic studies, vital for sustainable development of the country are also prepared by GSI.

The achievements of GSI during 2002-03 in tracing new mineral deposits in the country is given below:-

• An additional reserve to the tune of 3.548 billion tonnes of coal and 109 million tonnes of lignite have been estimated. With this, total geological reserve of coal in the country stands at 240.78 billion tonnes.

• Provisional reserve of 0.8 million tonnes with 1% Cu and 1 g/t gold has been estimated in Bhani-basri area, Dausa district, Rajasthan. This find has opened a new arena for search of basemetal and gold in small inter-cratonic basins and shear zones within the Archaean Gneissic Complex in Rajasthan.

• Provisional reserve of 5 million tonnes of copper ore has been estimated in Baniwala-Ki-Dhani and Dokan areas, Sikar district, Rajasthan.

• Provision reserve of 0.53 million tonnes of base metal ore has been proved over a strike length of 225m in Mauriya block Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.

• Provisional reserve of 0.9 million tonnes of manganese has been estimated in Champasar-bharatbahal blocks, Bolangir district, Orissa.

• Provisional reserve of 4 million tonnes ore with 60% Fe has been estimated in Pureibahal block, Sundergarh district, Orissa.

• Provisional reserve of 0.704 million tonnes of gold ore has been estimated in Delwara block, Banswara district Rajasthan.

• 0.273 million tonnes of ore containing 1.89 g/t Au has been estimated over 370 m-strike length in Bhukia East central block, Banswara district, Rajasthan.

• Provisional reserve of 1.113 million tonnes of gold ore in Dona south block and 0.098 million tonnes in Dona North block have been estimated in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.

• Provisional reserves of 0.132 million tonnes ore containing gold in Dugocha North block and 0.216 million tonnes in Dugocha Central block have been estimated in Udaipur district, Rajasthan.

• An additional reserve of 2 million tonnes of combined residual and sedimentary clays of refractory grade has been proved in Kasargod district, Kerala.

• In Jalaphet block, Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya a total of 230.10 million tonnes of probable reserve of limestone of all grades has been estimated.

• In Larket block, Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya a total of 420.735 million tonnes of probable reserve of limestone of all grades has been estimated.