Mineral Resources of West Bengal
Major Mineral Resources:
The state of West Bengal has an important position in mineral production of the country. In terms of value, the state accounts for 3.8% of mineral production in India and occupies the seventh position. Various metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits have been located both in the Peninsular and Extra-peninsular parts of the State and some of them viz. coal, china clay, fire clay, apatite, dolomite, limestone, silica sand, base metals, wolframite have economic importance. A detailed account of the mineral resources are as follows:
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Apatite
The apatite-magnetite mineralisation occurs in the southern part of the Purulia district. The important apatite occurrences are located in Beldih and Mednitanr in the western part and Chirugora, Purtaha Kutni and Dandodih-Gamardih in the eastern part.
Apatite deposit is being exploited by the West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Ltd. (WBMDTCL) since 1975 and marketed as direct application in fertiliser Industry.
Asbestos
Discontinuous and irregular veins of asbestos occur along the shear planes and diagonal joints within meta-dolerites, especially along their contacts with the schists and phyllites of the Singhbhum Group around Birmadal and Chirugora areas of Medinipur District.
Barytes
Baryte veins occur impersistently along a 12 Km. long E-W trending belt in Purulia district extending from Malthal in the East to Ukma in the West.
Base Metals
Occurrences of base metals are reported from Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Purulia districts. The most important base Metal deposits for lead and zinc in the Himalayan terrain near Gorubathan, Darjeeling district are reported from Khar Khola, Mal Khola, Daling Chu and Sukha Khola blocks. Minor Occurrences of copper-Ore are reported from Pedong and Peshok areas of Darjeeling district. In the Tamkhun area of Purulia district, copper mineralisation has been located within brecciated sericite-quartz-schist of Proterozoic age.
China Clay
Extensive deposits of clay have been located in the different parts of Birbhum, Bankura, Medinipur and Purulia. A few small but potential Occurrences are also available in Bardhaman district. A number of deposits of Birbhum, Bankura and Purulia districts were investigated in details and preliminary appraisal of some of the deposits of Bardhaman and Medinipur districts have been in subsequent years till the mid-eighties.
Coal
It is well known that the Raniganj coalfield of West Bengal holds the earliest known coalfield of the country. During the last 10-12 years, the Birbhum coalfield has been discovered. The large potentiality of this recently discovered coalfield has already been established by the Coal Wing of Geological Survey of India. Besides these two large coalfields, there are a few minor coalfields and/or outliers of coal bearing rocks, like Darjeeling, Barjora, Hetampur and Tangsuli. Except Barjora which holds some promise, others are of academic interest at present. Till date, Raniganj coalfield is the only coal producing area of the state.
Coals in the Indian peninsular coalfields are contained in the Lower Gondwana Group of sediments where two formations are known to be coal bearing. Of these the Barakar Formation is the major repository of coal, while the younger, Raniganj Formation is a minor contributor. In Raniganj coalfields however, Raniganj Formation holds the larger share of the total coal reserves.
Dolomite
Extensive deposits of dolomite occur in the Jainti area of Jalpaiguri district. However, the entire dolomite deposits are comprised within the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Due to non-availability of Forestry clearance, the exploitation of dolomite in Jainti area is completely stopped at present.
Fire Clay
The Fireclay deposits are generally associated with the coal seams over a wide area in Raniganj coalfield of the Bardhaman district and in some areas of the coalfield of Birbhum district. Besides, some of the Chinaclay quarries of the Muhammad Bazar and Chandidaspur of Birbhum district also yields fire clay. These clay deposits are developed within the Barakar formaiton of the Gondwana Supergroup.
Kyanite
Discontinous bodies of Kyanite-quartz rocks are located in the district of Purulia.
Limestone
Geological Survey of India has carried out preliminary investigation of the reported limestone occurrences in West Bengal since late forties. The occurrences of limestone around Kudagara, Tutu Pahar, Subarnarekha river, Dankagarha Nala, Balamu and Maramu areas of Purulia district and Harirampur and Salaipahari areas of Bankura district were also investigated in detail by surface exploration.
Bedded limestones occurring within the Lower Panchets of the Gondwana are found near Baghmara, NW of Panchet Hill; to the south of the Raniganj coalfield. The limestone and dolomite deposits around Harirampur-Salai Pahari area located near the boundary between Purulia and Bankura districts. In Darjeeling district, a few scattered occurrences of coarse, crystalline limestone have been reported from Pall in Phenock stream and Bindi stream. A few limestone bands overlying coal bearing formation are reported from Lish River.
Silica Sand
Huge reserve of sands are available from the beds of many rivers in the western and northern part of the State. Most river sands are impure and may be used for producing inferior quality glass. However, the sands of the Damodar and Ajoy rivers are on great demand for stowing in the coal mines of the Raniganj Coalfield.
Ochre
Occurrences of ochres, bluish grey and yellow mottled clays are found in association with lateritised sandstones and grits of Durgapur beds in the eastern part of Raniganj coalfields in Bardhaman district. Ochre deposits are also found in Medinipur and Purulia districts.
Moulding Sand
Moulding sand, as they occur in nature, are fine to medium grained sand and contain an appreciable amount of clay which act as bonding material. Some of the moulding sand occurences of this State have been found suitable by the National Metallurgical Laboratory, Haora, for use in iron and non-ferrous foundries. Moulding sand deposits are mainly available in Bardhaman and Bankura districts.
Glass Sand
Good quality glass sands are rather scarce in the State. They are mostly impure, mixed with iron oxides and suitable for coloured glasses. In Bankura district, fairly large occurrences of quartzite of the Proterozoic are available which may be suitable for its utilisation in the glass industry. In Bardhaman district, occurences of sandstone of the Gondwana Supergroup are reported from Mohanpur. The sandstone after calcination may turn out suitable for use in glass industry. In Purulia district, milky-white quartz veins within the Proterozoic rocks occur in Mirmi, Brindabanpur and Inchadih areas.
Wolframite
The occurrences of Wolframite are located in Chhendapathar and Porapahar areas of Bankura district. Occurrences of wolframite and scheelite have also been reported from Mansang area of Darjeeling district.
Minerals of lesser economic importance:
Arsenopyrite
An occurrence of Arsenopyrite has been recorded on the northern flank of Sampthar hill, Darjeeling district.
Beryl
Pale green hexagonal crystals of Beryl have been reported from Sulung Lohar and Belamu hill of Purulia district.
Corundum
Dark blue stumpy Corundum crystals, varying in size from a fraction of a centimetre to about 2.5 cm. in diameter are occurring within the mica schist in Salbone, Paharpur and Bhagabandh areas of Purulia district.
Fluorite
The occurrences of Fluorites within pegmatites have been reported from Suling Lohar, east of Maramou and southern flank of Belamu hill of Purulia district.
Gold
Show of placer Gold is present in the streams/rivers flowing through the Proterozoic volcanosedimentary pile of rocks in Purulia, Bankura and Medinipur districts.
Graphite
A vein of Graphite, about 1m in thickness occur within mica schist in Bangora, Purulia district. Another occurrence of graphite has been recorded near Gobag, Purulia distirct. Presence of graphite has been noted in the graphite schist of Daling Group in Rakti River ans as carbonaceous material (mainly graphite) in Sukheapukh-Tanglu road, Darjeeling district.
Iron Ore
In Purulia district, titaniferous Iron Ores occur in pegmatites and quartz veins around Manbazar, Gaurangdih, Tiluri and Jhalda. In Bankura district, magnetite ore occur as interlaminated bands within quartzite and gneisses, varying thickness from 7cm to 1m and extending for 24 km in length.
Manganese Ore
Lateritoid Manganese occur in the form of thin bands, lenses, lenticles, concretions etc. and a variety of collform structures in the schits and quartzites of Singhbhum Group.
Mica
Occurrences of small books of Ruby Mica and also ordinary mica, varying in size from 2.5 sq. cm. to 20.5 sq. cm. have been reported from Adabana, Bhursa, Kumargarh in Purulia district and Kaduria, Pirrabani area of Bankura district.
Pyrite
Occurrences of Pyrite is found with other sulphide within graphite bearing mica schist of the Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex in Karcha and Talmu areas of Purulia district.
Ree Mineral
Study of Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex (CGC) along selected sectors in West Bengal by second generation mapping revealed an association of ‘bastnaesite’, allanite and barite within an abandoned pegmatite quarry near Nawahatu, Purulia district.
Caesium-Bearing Mineral
Interesting occurrences of pollucite, the only ore of caesium within pegmatite veins adjacent to calc-silicate rock near Beku lying to the north of NPSZ has been reported recently.
Talc And Steatite
In Darjeeling district, occurrences of Talc and Steatite are located at Ramouk Khola. Steatite has been reported from Lepachaks War Buxa in Jalpaiguri district. A number of occurrences of steatite are reported from Khusbani, Puklunkata and Haludbani in Purulia district and Matgoda, Maula Kuldiah and Panchpathar in Bankura district.
Dimension Stone
Reconnaissance survey for identification of possible Dimension Stone prospects in West Bengal was initiated during Field Season 1994-95, in the Chhotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex, covering parts of Purulia, Bankura and Birbhum district.
Detail examination and scanning of areas spread over more than 1000 sq. km. and appeared to be geologically and geomorphologically suitable, results in identification and delineation of twenty-five possible prospects.
Titanium Ore
Ilmenite and Rutile bearing quartz and pegmatite veins have been found in a number of localities within a radius of about 10 km of Gaurangdih in Purulia district. Ilmenite also occurs in pegmatite and quartz veins near Manbazar and Jhalda area of Purulia district.
Vermiculite
A few occurrences of Vermiculite have been reported from Daktigora, Nichu Bhuenpur, Gaurnagdih and Pabyan areas of Bankura district.
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West Bengal is a state in eastern India. It is the third-most populous state in India, with over 91 million inhabitants. The state has a rich mineral resource base, including coal, lignite, iron ore, manganese ore, bauxite, copper ore, gypsum, clay, sand and gravel, limestone, dolomite, fireclay, graphite, talc, mica, fluorspar, asbestos, precious stones, rock phosphate, salt, natural gas, petroleum, uranium, and thorium.
Coal is the most important mineral resource in West Bengal. The state has the second-largest coal reserves in India, after Jharkhand. Coal is used to generate electricity, produce steel, and make other products.
Lignite is a type of coal that is less mature than bituminous coal. It is used to generate electricity and produce cement.
Iron ore is used to make steel. The state has significant iron ore reserves, but most of the ore is of low quality.
Manganese ore is used to make steel and other alloys. The state has significant manganese ore reserves, which are of high quality.
Bauxite is used to make aluminum. The state has significant bauxite reserves, but most of the ore is of low quality.
Copper ore is used to make copper. The state has significant copper ore reserves, but most of the ore is of low quality.
Gypsum is used to make plaster of Paris and other products. The state has significant gypsum reserves.
Clay is used to make bricks, Pottery, and other products. The state has significant clay reserves.
Sand and gravel are used in construction. The state has significant sand and gravel reserves.
Limestone is used to make cement and other products. The state has significant limestone reserves.
Dolomite is used to make cement and other products. The state has significant dolomite reserves.
Fireclay is used to make bricks and other products. The state has significant fireclay reserves.
Graphite is used to make lubricants and other products. The state has significant graphite reserves.
Talc is used to make cosmetics and other products. The state has significant talc reserves.
Mica is used to make electrical insulation and other products. The state has significant mica reserves.
Fluorspar is used to make steel and other products. The state has significant fluorspar reserves.
Asbestos is used to make fireproof materials and other products. The state has significant asbestos reserves.
Precious stones are used in jewelry and other products. The state has significant precious stone reserves, including diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
Rock phosphate is used to make fertilizer. The state has significant rock phosphate reserves.
Salt is used for food and other purposes. The state has significant salt reserves.
Natural gas is used to generate electricity and produce other products. The state has significant natural gas reserves.
Petroleum is used to make gasoline, diesel, and other products. The state has significant petroleum reserves.
Uranium is used to make nuclear power. The state has significant uranium reserves.
Thorium is used to make nuclear power. The state has significant thorium reserves.
The mineral resources of West Bengal are a valuable asset to the state. They provide EMPLOYMENT and contribute to the state’s economy. The State Government is committed to developing the mineral resources in a sustainable manner.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about mineral resources:
What are mineral resources?
Mineral resources are naturally occurring solid substances that are of economic value. They can be used to make a variety of products, including metals, construction materials, and fuels.What are the different types of mineral resources?
There are three main types of mineral resources: Metallic Minerals, nonmetallic minerals, and energy minerals. Metallic minerals include metals such as iron, copper, and gold. Nonmetallic minerals include minerals such as sand, gravel, and limestone. Energy minerals include minerals such as coal, oil, and natural gas.Where are mineral resources found?
Mineral resources can be found in a variety of places, including on land, in the ocean, and in the Atmosphere. However, the most common places to find mineral resources are in rocks and minerals.How are mineral resources extracted?
There are a variety of methods used to extract mineral resources. The most common method is mining, which involves digging up the earth to extract the minerals. Other methods include quarrying, which involves extracting minerals from rocks, and drilling, which involves extracting minerals from the ground.What are the benefits of mineral resources?
Mineral resources provide a variety of benefits to Society. They can be used to make a variety of products, including metals, construction materials, and fuels. They also provide jobs and economic Growth.What are the challenges of mineral resources?
Mining and other methods of extracting mineral resources can have a negative impact on the Environment. They can also lead to social problems, such as conflict and displacement.What is the future of mineral resources?
The future of mineral resources is uncertain. The demand for mineral resources is expected to increase in the future, but the supply of mineral resources is limited. This could lead to increased conflict over mineral resources.What are some alternative sources of mineral resources?
There are a number of alternative sources of mineral resources, including recycled materials, synthetic materials, and renewable resources. However, these alternative sources are not always available or affordable.What can I do to help conserve mineral resources?
There are a number of things you can do to help conserve mineral resources. You can reduce your consumption of products that require mineral resources, recycle products that contain mineral resources, and support companies that use sustainable practices.
Sure. Here are some MCQs on the topics of mineral resources, coal, and iron ore:
Which of the following is not a mineral resource?
(A) Coal
(B) Iron ore
(C) Gold
(D) OilWhich of the following countries has the largest reserves of coal?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) United States
(D) RussiaWhich of the following countries has the largest production of coal?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) United States
(D) RussiaWhich of the following is the most common type of iron ore?
(A) Hematite
(B) Magnetite
(C) Limonite
(D) SideriteWhich of the following countries has the largest reserves of iron ore?
(A) Brazil
(B) Australia
(C) China
(D) RussiaWhich of the following countries has the largest production of iron ore?
(A) China
(B) Australia
(C) Brazil
(D) RussiaWhich of the following is the most important mineral resource for the steel industry?
(A) Coal
(B) Iron ore
(C) Copper
(D) ZincWhich of the following is the most important mineral resource for the energy industry?
(A) Coal
(B) Oil
(C) Natural gas
(D) Nuclear fuelWhich of the following is the most important mineral resource for the construction industry?
(A) Sand
(B) Gravel
(C) Cement
(D) Iron oreWhich of the following is the most important mineral resource for the electronics industry?
(A) Silicon
(B) Copper
(C) Gold
(D) Silver
I hope these MCQs were helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.