MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINERAL BASED INDUSTRIES IN CHHATTISGARH
(Source: Mineral Resources Department, Government of Chhattisgarh,Raipur)
The nascent State of Chhattisgarh is bounded by north latitude 17046' to 240 06' and East longitude 800 15' to 840 25' covering an area of about 1,35,153 sq km and compasses sixteen district namely Bastar, Dantewara, Kanker, Raipur, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Kawardha, Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir, Raigarh, Jashpurnagar, Surguja and Koria.

History of this newly formed Chhattisgarh State dates long back. Earlier it was known as "Dakshin Koshal". It has contributed a lot to the nation in the field of natural resources viz forest, agriculture water and rich mineral deposits.

Apart from being of one of the prosperous State from mineral resources point of view, the State has got second position amongst mineral producing States of India. In the year 2002-03 the State has produced minerals worth Rs. 4100 Crores (excluding atomic minerals, oil and natural gas) which is about 13.80 % of the total mineral produced in the country. The State has earned a sum of Rs. 552.37 Crores towards mineral revenue during the year 2002-03.

The State is producing almost 20 types of minerals. With reference to the total production of the country in 2002-03, the State is producing 100% of tin concentrate and 37.02% of quartzite and is ranked Ist position. In production of coal, dolomite and iron ore the State ranked 2nd with a production of 16.40 %, 27.52% and 22.80% respectively. The State has been put in fifth position in limestone and bauxite with a production of 11.00 % and 6.05 % respectively of total production of India. In production of other minerals the State has also achieved important place in national tally.

Mineral Resources
Chhattisgarh State, owing to its typical geological set up, is like a museum of minerals. Bountiful nature has gifted variety of minerals of excellence to the state. Important minerals with which the name of the State is intimately associated are Diamond, Coal, Iron ore, Limestone, Bauxite, Dolomite and Tin ore. Tin ore, which is a mineral of strategic importance, occurs only in Chhattisgarh among Indian States. Iron ore deposits of the State are also world famous.

Other minerals like corundum, clays, quartzite, fluorite, beryl, andalucite, kyanite, sillimanite, talc, soapstone, steatite, garnet, marble, silica sand etc. are reported from the State. Rare precious minerals like alexandrite and komerupine are also reported from the State. Apart from these minerals vast reserves of granite of various attractive shades, which can be used as decorative stone, are available in the State.

A Comparative chart showing mineral resources of Chhattisgarh with respect to India is shown below

Reserves of Important Minerals in Chhattisgarh
S.No.
Mineral
Unit
Reserves in India
*Reserves in Chhattisgarh
Percentage in India
1.
Iron Ore
Million Tonnes
10052
2336
23.23
2.
Coal
Million Tonnes
204652.69
38135
18.64
3.
Bauxite
Thousand Tonnes
24622431
96050
3.89
4.
Limestone
Million Tonnes
75658.89
3580.60
4.73
5.
Tin Ore
Tonnes
28907.325
28894.633
99.96
6.
Dolomite
Million Tonnes
4386.855
606.00
13.81
7.
Gold
Tonnes
68.00
3.00
4.41
8.
Corundum
Tonnes
----
25.00
.
9.
Quartzite
Million Tonnes
2707.25
44.00
1.62

* = Provisional

Previous
Home
Next