New coal, iron ore deposits in Raigarh

New deposits of coal, iron ore, bauxite and limestone have been discovered in the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh in a recent survey and prospecting conducted by state's directorate of geology and mining.

"A new deposit of coal has been found in Raigarh district while in Bastar region, presence of iron ore has been indicated in the mineral survey and prospecting," officials in the directorate said.

The deposits of bauxite and limestone have been discovered in Sarguja and Kabeerdham districts respectively.

The officials informed that the coal deposit found in Pelma sector of Raigarh district is estimated to carry a reserve of 40 million tonnes.

The presence of iron ore has been found in the Naxal-hotbed districts of Dantewada and Kanker districts.

The officials said that about 50 lakh tonnes of iron ore could be present in the new deposit found in Bailadilla area of Dantewada district while 15 million tonnes was estimated in the reserves of Kanker district.

Both the districts are endowed with huge reserves of iron ore. Bailadilla is also known for producing the best quality iron ore deposits in the world.

The country's single largest iron-ore producer and exporter""the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)""has mining facilities in Bailadilla, from where it exports minerals to Japan and other countries.

The officials informed that new deposit of bauxite has been discovered in Mainpath hills in Sarguja district.

The pocket is known for containing huge deposit of bauxite. The Vedanta-controlled Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) has a few blocks in the area from where bauxite is supplied to its facility in Korba district.

The limestone deposit has been discovered in Sohagpur area of Kabeerdham district, the officials added.