Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Exploration of Mines of high value minerals during 10th plan

  During the 10th Plan period, major thrust has been accorded to exploration of high value minerals and augmenting resource base for minerals having key role in sustaining industrial growth. Geological Survey of India (GSI) added 12,177 million tonnes of coal, 941 million tonnes of lignite, 8.2 million tonnes of copper ore, 0.8 million tonnes of lead-zinc ore, 37.42 million tonnes of iron ore, 14.38 million tonnes of manganese ores, 5.70 million tonnes of bauxite, 1883 million tonnes of limestone, 42.49 million tonnes of gold ore, 5.56 billion cubic meters of coal bed methane, to the National Inventory mostly by way of new discoveries in the 10th Plan period. GSI has also discovered several kimberlite pipes, of which 4 pipes in Andhra Pradesh are diamond bearing.  

Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) has added 10,651 million tonnes of coal, 4667 million tonnes of lignite, 137 million tonnes of base metals and 3.35 million tonnes of Gold ore to the mineral inventory. 

 In the 11th Plan the investment proposed in exploration and mining for sustaining growth and development of mineral sector is given below:-

Survey and mapping 251.54 crores

Mineral exploration 116.57 crores 

Specialized investigation 12.44 crores 

Modernization and replacement 827.66 crores


With a view to protect the mineral resources in the country the Government has framed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act, 1957, (MMDR), the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 (MCR) and the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 (MCDR) for systematic and scientific development, and conservation of minerals.

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