GSI estimates mineral reserves of Rs 10 lakh crore in Northeast

GUWAHATI: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has recently revealed estimation that the Northeast has mineral reserves worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore which is yet to be exploited. The GSI has observed that if these mineral reserves are exploited, the region will flourish.

The GSI stressed that the mineral sector drives the growth of the country and not only does it contribute to the GDP; it also acts as a catalyst for the growth of other core industries such as power, steel, cement.

The GSI highlighted that a total resource of 1642.64 million tonnes of coal has been estimated from the three states of Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh while the region has a limestone reserve of 10108.6 million tonnes which has been estimated from Meghalaya to the southern part of Assam.

According to the GSI, Dolomite low-grade deposit is also found in Arunachal Pradesh with a 58 million tonnes estimated reserve in Dedza and 185 million tonnes probable reserve in Rupa area. The GSI further said graphite with an estimated reserve of 703.015 million tonnes is found in Arunachal Pradesh while clay with a probable resource of one million to three million tonnes has been discovered in Mizoram and Tripura.

Moreover, iron ore is found in Assam with an estimated reserve of 14.84 million tonnes. Meghalaya has a total resource of 5.88 million tonne of bauxite.

Notably, the GSI has been engaging in generating baseline data and mineral exploration besides research and development projects in the field of geosciences, mining and exploration.

Also read: Arunachal News