Dharmapuri: Rich deposits of Molybdenum ore found in Harur belt in Dharmapuri district that could be used in defence applications and aeronautical industry still remains untapped despite the initiative of the State Government.

Though the State had submitted test samples and a report to the Indian Bureau of Mines in Bangalore and Bhaba Atomic Research Centre in Hyderabad, the two agencies are yet to come out with the project results, according to highly placed sources in the Department of Geology and Mining.

Molybdenum is considered for its strategic importance especially for its applications in defence technology, missiles and rockets, offshore drilling and aeronautical industries. A preliminary survey by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in 1995 revealed traces of Molybdenum deposits in villages in Harur taluk. With its occurrence considered the only find in the country, a detailed study was undertaken by GSI in Harur taluk.

Based on this Molybdenum deposits was identified in the villages of A. Velampatti, Kattur and Sundangipatti in Harur belt spread over an area of 194.86 hectares. Enthused by the project, the State Government had authorised the Tamil Nadu Minerals (TAMIN) to undertake mining and drilling work in the villages concerned in 1995. TAMIN, in turn, had funded Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) to undertake pilot mining and deep drilling in A. Velampatti, Kattur and Sundangipatti villages.

According to official sources, the Molybdenum reserves were approximately calculated at 5 million tonnes to 6 million tonnes at a depth of 320 metres and 113.5 metres lateral with a percentage of 0.07 to 0.072 occurrence in these villages. Samples of the ore collected from trial points at various places were sent to the Indian Bureau of Mines and Bhaba Atomic Research Centre to determine the nature and commercial viability of the ore. But the results from the two agencies were still awaited by TAMIN, they added.

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