With a view to augment the availability of resources in the state, the directorate of geology of the Orissa government plans to take up mineral potential survey around Sankarakhol- Chakpada stretch in Kandhamal district and Manikpatna block and Nabha sector on Puri coast.
These surveys will locate and assess minerals of economic importance in these areas.
Systematic assessment of heavy minerals in beach sand in Nabha sector and heavy minerals in Malikpatna block along Puri coast will be taken up, official sources said.
Under project ‘mineral targeting’, the directorate plans to take up systematic geological mapping for assessing possible mineral potential around Sankarakhol- Chakpada stretch of Kandhamal district, which forms part of eastern ghat super group. The investigation carried earlier in the nearby areas with similar geological features indicated occurrences of graphite, pegmatite and dimension stone among others. The proposed area seems to have been traversed by a number of cross cutting lineaments which are favourable locii of mineralisation.
The programme of work to be taken up by the directorate during the current exploration season include geological mapping of about 250 square kilometres, trial excavation and sampling as will be necessary.
Further to assess the reserve and grade of heavy minerals in the Nabha sector along Puri coast, it is decided to continue systematic assessment of heavy minerals in beach sand during this year. Heavy minerals include ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet, sillimanite and monazite having wide industrial use.
The systematic assessment of the heavy minerals in beach sand in parts of Ganjam and Puri coast has been taken up by the directorate of geology from 1984-85 and a reserve of 30.47 million tonnes were traced with concentration of 12.37 percent heavy metals. Assessment was completed up to Udegiri north east sector in Puri till the end of 2007-08.
The directorate feels that the adjacent Nabha sector having similar geological set up has potential heavy mineral concentrations. So it will continue the process of exploration of heavy minerals in the sector. Under the plan, geo-morphological mapping of 1.5 square kilometre and land cover mapping of 1.5 sq. km will be taken up. Similarly, auger drilling of 2200 metres and sampling with 1 metre interval will be required.
Besides, the reserve and the grade of heavy minerals in Manikpatna block in Puri will also be assessed. The pilot sampling undertaken by the department earlier revealed the presence of heavy minerals like ilminite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, garent and monazite.
Sources said, out of 479 samples collected, 15 samples indicated heavy mineral concentration varying between 8 and 20 percent between Gabakunda and Rameswarpur over a coastal length of 3 kms.
Based on this outcome, the directorate has decided to take up systematic assessment of heavy minerals around Manikpatna during this year.
