Exploration of high value minerals during 10th Plan

New Delhi, Oct 21 (UNI) The Government today announced that the major thrust has been accorded to exploration of high value minerals and augmenting resource base for minerals having key role in sustaining industrial growth during the 10th Plan period.

This information was given by Minister of Mines Sis Ram Ola in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

He said 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, 1,883 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.

The GSI has also discovered several kimberlite pipes, of which four pipes in Andhra Pradesh are diamond bearing.

Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (MECL) has added 10,651 million tonnes of coal, 4,667 million tonnes of lignite, 137 million tonnes of base metals and 3.35 million tonnes of gold ore to the mineral inventory.

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