MINING

              Chhattisgarh is the richest State in terms of mineral wealth, with 28 varieties of major minerals, including diamonds

Chhattisgarh, alongwith two other Indian States has almost all the coal deposits in India, which has led to its 'power hub' strategy. All the tin ore in India is in Chhattisgarh. A fifth of iron ore in the country is here, and one of the best quality iron ore deposits in the world is found in the Bailadila mines in south Chhattisgarh, from where it is exported to Japan. Rich deposits of Bauxite, Limestone, Dolomite and Corundum are found in the State.The State is lucky to have large deposits of coal, iron ore and limestone in close proximity, making it the ideal location for the lowest cost of production.

There is great scope for private participation in the mining sector in Chhattisgarh. The State’s Mineral Policy, 2001 has created a conducive business environment to attract private investment in the State, both domestic and international. Procedures have been simplified and there is complete transparency in decision-making. The added advantage is availability of large technically qualified human resources, having trained in tailormade programmes in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mineral beneficiation, mining engineering and environmental science. The State is ensuring a minimum lease area with secured land rights so that investors can safely commit large resources to mining projects. For surmounting the long-drawn out process of getting mineral-related leases, at the State level, quick processing of applications is given top priority. For major minerals under the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, where approvals are required from Government of India, the State Government would help in strong advocacy to get such approvals quickly.

The State is also encouraging establishment of a Gems and Jewellery Park to attract new investment in the sector.Chhattisgarh has the right geological set up to host a number of economic mineral deposits. It comprises parts of the Bastar and Singhbhum cratons, that are surrounded by the Middle Proterozoic circum mobile belts and major rifts.

The other intra-cratonic supra-crustal belts include rocks of the Middle to Upper Proterozoic, Carboniferous, Permian, Cretaceous and sub-Recent to Recent periods. The area has observed multiple major tectonic and thermal events of various episodes. The rock types of principal metallogenic and mineralogenic episodes are prevailing in the State, which confirms the high potential for the search of new mineral deposits. Simply put, such geological environment is conducive for the formation of various mineral deposits of excellence.

Placer diamonds in the State led to the discovery of proterozoic diamondiferous kimberlites in Mainpur, Raipur district, which invited global attention. Further kimberlite discoveries in Tokapal, Bastar have added another potential diamond field. Incidence of diamonds is also known from Ib river in Raigarh district. It seems that in the non-coal areas, Chhattisgarh is nestling atop the world’s largest kimberlite area. Eight blocks have been demarcated for diamond exploration in the State, and are on offer. Eight international companies have already applied for reconnaissance permits for diamond, base metal and gold deposits. Chhattisgarh's potential diamond mines would emerge in the top bracket of the select group of 22 economical diamond mines in the world, once full production starts.

Apart from diamond, four blocks of gold exploration and five blocks for base metal investigation have been demarcated. Deposits of Alexandrite, one of the rarest gemstones, are found in Deobhog area of Raipur. Workable deposits of Corundum are widespread in South Chhattisgarh. Corundum includes semi-precious varieties of Ruby and Blue Sapphire, and possibilities of finding precious varieties exist as well. Other semi-precious minerals like Beryl, Garnet, Amethyst and Rock Crystal are found in other parts of the State.

A few major mineral deposits are: (all figures in million tonnes)
      Coal              : 35000
      Iron ore        : 2336     
*    Lime stone    : 3580    
*    Dolomite      : 606    
*    Bauxite         : 96    
*    Cassiterite    : 29   

The State’s Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation(CMDC), singly or in joint venture, undertakes scientific exploration, commercial exploitation and viable trading of minerals in the State. CMDC welcomes partnerships with national and international private sector mineral companies, so that the natural wealth of the State is translated more efficiently into prosperity for its people. For Chhattisgarh, preferred investors will be those that, ceteris paribus, come into the State with a plan to add value with downstream industries, and such investors would have priority in sanctioning of Mining Lease and Prospecting Lease. Those who set up export-oriented mineral based units in the State would be equally preferred investors. All such mining industries will benefit from the incentives offered to all other industries.

The Raipur-based Directorate of Geology and Mining is reputed to be one of the best knowledge and resource centres in mining of Chhattisgarh’s minerals. All are welcome to utilize the expertise in the Directorate.    

For further details contact :
    Managing Director,
    Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation
    27/520, Praveen Bhavan, Shanti Nagar, Raipur 492006 Chhattisgarh, India
    Phone : +91-771-657793

    Director, Geology & Mining,
    Ring Road No. 1, P.O. Ravigram, Raipur - 492006 Chhattisgarh, India
    Phone : +91-771- 412840, Fax : +91-771-412841