MINERAL DEVELOPMENT – AN OVERVIEW
1.1 GENERAL
Rajasthan has a glorious heritage in the field of mines and minerals. The State is geologically so endowed that it has become a veritable repository of minerals. Important minerals with which the name of this State is intimately associated are that of non- ferrous metals (lead, zinc and copper) and ferrous minerals such as tungsten and a number of industrial minerals. Presently, the State is the sole producer of jasper and wollastonite and a leading producer of cement and steel grade lime stone, soapstone, ball clay, calcite, felspar, natural gypsum, kaolin, rock phosphate, ochre and building stones besides, tungsten, lead-zinc concentrates, and copper metal.Table 1 shows the minerals found in Rajasthan which account for 70 percent or more of India’s total production.
TABLE 1
MINERAL PRODUCTION IN RAJASTHAN
PERCENTAGE CONTRIBUTION
|
MINERAL |
% OF INDIA’S PRODUCTION |
|
Wollastonite |
100 |
|
Jasper |
100 |
|
Zinc concentrate |
99 |
|
Fluorite |
96 |
|
Gypsum |
93 |
|
Marble |
90 |
|
Asbestos |
89 |
|
Soapstone |
87 |
|
Lead concentrate |
80 |
|
Phosphate roc |
75 |
|
Ball clay |
71 |
|
Calcite |
70 |
|
Sandstone |
70 |
|
Flaggy limestone |
70 |
|
Felspar |
70 |
At present abount 42 varieties of major minerals and 23 varieties of minor minerals are being produced in the State. In the field of minor mineral particularly, of dimensional and decorative stones such as marble, Kota stone, and sand stone, the State occupies a unique a unique position by contributing about 30% of the total value of minor minerals being produced in the country.
Presently 1324 mining leases of major minerals, 10851 mining leases of minor minerals and 19251 quarry licences are in force.
The State has the largest number of small mining leases in the country. It lanks significant deposits of iron ore, bauxite, chromite, manganese, coal and petroleum. In terms of the total value of India’s mineral production in the country, the State contributes 5.74% of the total value and occupies the 5th position after Bihar (13.09%), Madhya Pradesh (9.68), Gujrat (8.55%), and Assam (7.3%).
Large workable reserves of lignite have been identified and proved. Their exploitation is likely to begin very soon and thereafter, the State's position would significantly improve.
Since 1949, Significant changes have taken place in the field of mineral development, which is evident from the following facts :
(a) During 1950, only 15 types of major minerals and 6 minor minerals were produced. During the last four decades many new mineral deposits have been discovered. Today, about 42 major minerals and 23 minor minerals are being exploited in the State.
(b) In 1950, there were 50 major minerals leases and 1200 rent-cum-royalty leases. Their number increased to 1324 major mineral leases, 10851 minor mineral leases and 19251 quarry licences in 1993.