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Diamond rocks found in Nuapada district

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa Government on Tuesday said its Directorate of Geology had stumbled upon diamond bearing Lamproite rocks in Kalami-Dadar area of Nuapada district.

The information was brought to the notice of Steel and Mines Minister Padmanabha Behera during a recent high-level review meeting on progress of mineral exploration in the State.

Making a presentation on exploration works, Director of Geology Smita Das said the department would undertake massive exploration for diamond-bearing minerals in Kalami-Dadar, Bharua Munda, Santoshipada, Nangalbada and Kathibari areas of Nuapada district.

Similarly, Directorate of Geology was contemplating to carry out exploration for valuable minerals along the sea beaches of Puri, Ms Das said.

The department was also eyeing at gemstones in Suknauta and Jagasaiatna area of Kalahandi district and dimension stones in Khurda, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts in the State.

As the State Government had entered into memoranda of understanding with private companies for steel projects, it was decided that the department would carry a detail exploration for iron ore in Badamgada area of Sundargarh.

The State Government was in process of making an inventory by assessing all leased out mines afresh, Steel and Mines Minister Padmanabha Behera said.

Moreover, the Directorate of Geology also presented a proposal to conduct a fresh survey of Malangtoli area, which had a proven reserve of 608 million tonne of iron ore. According to Geological Survey of India report, 13 out of 17 blocs in Malangtoli area were assessed in 1960s.

Regional Manager of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) A. B. Panigrahi said though it was made mandatory for lassies to conduct proper exploration and give actual volume of deposits during preparation of mining plan, the mines owners were ignoring the aspect. In most of the cases, they showed low volume, he said.

Emphasising on carrying out of exploration work by renowned companies to know volume of deposits in certain mineral pockets, Mr. Panigrahi said there should be a clause for supervision by GSI or Directorate of Geology during granting of lease to private companies.

Steel and Mine Secretary Upendra Prasad Singh said the State had 5300 million tonne of iron ore reserve and it could be enhanced if fresh exploration work would be taken up.

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