INVENTORY OF MAJOR MINERALS OF WEST BENGAL

(Based on database of Directorate of Mines & Minerals, Government of West Bengal)
Sl. No. Mineral / Commodity Agency Location Co - Ordinates UNFC Code Estimated Resource Grade Proximity to forest boundary Infrastructure Work done Nature of Ore body/ Mineralization Remarks
1 Base Metal (Copper) DMM Mouza Tamakhun, PS
Manbazar, Dist purulia		 TS: 73J/9; Lat 22°57' - 23°00' Long 86° 35' - 86°40' G3 0.2 miillion tonnes existing (upto 50m depth), so far reported. 1.5 % Cu 0.50 km away Road: 60 km Motoratable road from Purulia; Water source: Kumari river & its tributary(mainly Totko). Geological mapping: 20 sq km (approx.) in 1"=1 mile scale; Trenching :4 nos.; Bore hole: 33 nos. [Min. 9.61m & Max. 145.13m (mostly inclined and few vertical); Petrography: 9 samples; Mineragraphy: 4 samples; Sampling: 43 (Trench) 102 (core) & 22 (sludge) and Analysis: 78 samples. Drill core study reveals that sulphides have the affinity for Calc-rich portions of the schist and mineralization is generally confined within calcite bands & patches within phyllite schist. Mineralization found mainly along faults and shear zones. Analysis of drill cores reveals poor mineralization which is restricted mainly between the depths of 8m and 30m. In some cases the depth persists upto 70m (approx.). Further appreciable mineralization observed in drill cores of 4 boreholes which is restricted between the depth of 9m and 19m in 3 holes and 23m to 26m in one hole. Traces of old working with dumps have been reported. Previous extraction of 5000 tonnes of metallic copper from the area has also been reported . This resource can be offered for further exploratopn with proper beneficiation. Report No.: PUR/CP/16
2 Baryte DMM Mouza: Chuna PS Kashipur, Dist purulia Lat 23° 23' 58.2'' - 23° 25' 8.11'' N Long 86° 37' 10.2''- 86° 37' 19.2''; Topo sheet no. 73I/11 G4 66 tonnes (upto assumed depth of 1m) / 334 Not Determined 1.01 km away Road : motorable, Rail : nearest rail station Adra.; Water source: Dwarkeswae River ; Power: Available. Geological mapping: 4 sq km in 1:12500 scale: ; PT: 11 nos. Host rock is Gneissic . Work done during 2004-05 by DMM,WB. Report No. PUR/BA/173.This resource can be offered for PL/exploration with proper beneficiation.
3 Clay D.M.M & C.G.C.R.I Mouza: Mahatomara-Bandulahar-Taldih, PS Jhaldah, Dist Purulia TS No. 73 E/15; Lat 23°25' - 23°26'/Long 85° 54'- 85° 55' G3 1.32 Mahatomara: 0.72 mi. tonnes (upto 21 m depth), Bandulahar: 0.15(upto9.5m depth) Taldih: 0.45 (upto 6.8m depth) Kaolinite in nature, plasticity moderate , blending with plastic clay is required for body composition. 2.28 km away Road: Motorable [Mahatomara is 8 km from Jhalda town on Jhalda-Ghola Road, Bandulahar is 9 km from Jhalda and Taldih is quarter km east of Mahatomara. Jhalda is 45 km WNW from Purulia Town]; Railway Stn. : Nearest Jhalda & Muri on SE-ern Rly.; Water source: River Subarnarekha and other small streams.; Power: Available. Geological mapping: Mahatomara-Bandulahar-Taldih area in 1:15,180 scale; Large Scale mapping in 1:3960 scale: Mahatomara, Bandulahar & Taldih area; PT: 17 nos.(Mahatomara), 7nos. (Bandulahar) & 8 nos. (Taldih); BH: 3 nos.(Mahatomara), 1 no. (Bandulahar) & 1 no. (Taldih); Sampling & Analysis (including beneficiation): 3 Bulk samples from Mahatomara area. Surface covered by laterite. Clay occurs between the depths 1.40m & 21.35m b.g.l. in Mahatomara area, 1.80m & 9.55m b.g.l. in Bandulahar area and 1.55m & 6.81m b.g.l. in Taldih area with variations in colour and composition. Work done during 1975-1977 by DMM (Report No. PUR/CC/12), Bulk sampling made jointly by DMM & CGCRI during 2004-2005 and Analysis (including beneficiation) made by CGCRI. The resource may be utilized in whitewares and pottery industries after proper blending with plastic clay.
4 Do Do Mouza: Khariduara, PS Manbazar, Dist Purulia Toposheet No. 73 J/9. Lat 22°59' 30'' - Long 86° 38' 55'' G3 0.389 ( upto 49 m)[ Intercalated White Clay (0.136 million tonnes) & Dark Grey Clay ( 0.253 million tonnes)]/323 Poorly plastic, beneficiation and application of masking glaze required. 1.27 km away Road: connected with Purulia and Bandwan by metal road; 65 Kms. And 20 Kms. Far respectively. Railway Stn.: Barabhum on SE Rly. Water Source: Kumari River. Power Source: Domestic & High Tension Grid available. Geological mapping: 1:12500 (14 Sq. Kms.); Large Scale Mapping: 1:2000 (0.60 Sq. Km.); Contour Mapping: 1:2000 (0.60 Sq. Km.); PT: 18; BH: 11; Sampling: 456 (BH+PT+Bulk); Analysis: 140 [20 (Phy), 04 (Min), 06 (DTA), 15 (X Ray), 95 (Chem)] Intercalated Clay bands (strike length : 700m) occur along TPSZ sandwitched between CGG and Iron Ore Stage of rocks. Probably derived from kaolinization of granitic rocks. Work done in F.S. 1986 - 89 by DMM (Report No. PUR/CC/103) later evaluated jointly by DMM & CGCRI in 2004 - 05 and Analysis (including beneficiation) made by CGCRI. The resource may be utilized in whitewares and pottery industries after proper blending with plastic clay.
5 Do Do Mouza: Hankasara, PS Jhalda, Dist Purulia TS No. 73 I/3; Lat 23° 25'-23 o30'/Long 86°04'-86o30' G3 0.3 mi. tonnes (approx.) After beneficiation quality of clay shows good plasticity which may be used in the formation of body composition by blending with more plastic clay. 3.80 km away Road: Motorable; Nearest Rly. Stn.: Kotshila; Power: available; Water source: narrow dry streams/nalas at the western and southern ends of the village. Map (1:3960) indicating locations of pits and boreholes within .03 sq km.; Pit:18 nos.; BH: 4 nos.; Sampling & Analysis (including beneficiation): 1 sample. Maximum thickness of clay bed is reported as 9.78m. Allthe clay deposits occur within the granitic terrain by kaolinization of feldspar. Work done during 1976-1977 (Report No. PUR/CC/14) and 1989-1990 (Report No. PUR/CC/105) by DMM. Bulk sampling made jointly by DMM & CGCRI during 2006 and Analysis (including beneficiation) made by CGCRI. The resource may be utilized in whitewares and pottery industries after proper blending with higher grade of clay.
6 Do D.M.M & CGCRI Mouza: Katachua and around Belpahari, P.S. Belpahari, Dist West Midnapur. TS No. 73 J/10 and 73 J/14; Lat 22° 37' /long 86° 41'(Katachua), Lat 22° 37' 27"/long 86° 39'3" (Chirugora) and Lat 22° 40' /long 86° 39' (Kadamdiha) G3 Upto a vertical depth of 15m bgl : 0.14 mi. tonnes (Katachua), 0.24 mi. tonnes (Kadamdiha), 0.037 mi. tonnes (Chirugora) , 0.015 mi. tonnes (Balichu) and 0.12 mi. tonnes (Banspahari) Washing clay of: Katachua yields 18% of Grade-I, 16% of Grade-II and residue 66%. Moderate to low plasticity; Kadamdiha yields 16% Grade-I, 46.5% Grade-II and residue 37.5%. Low plasticity by hand feel. Clay of Chirugora and Balichua: hard and semi-plastic Within Forest Road: Motorable; Nearest Rly. Stn.: Gidhni; Water source: Taraphini R. in the east and different small tributaries in the western part. Geological mapping : 3750 sq. m. ( 1:1000 scale) in Katachua, 997 sq. m. ( 1:2000 scale) in Chirugora, 6591 sq. m. ( 1:1000 scale) in Kadamdiha; Sampling & Analysis (including beneficiation): 1 Bulk sample from Katachua. Clay of Katachua appears to have originated from granite mainly. Formation of clay in other areas are mainly from the alteration of Phyllitic rocks. Work done during 1990-1991 (Report No. MID/CC/19) and 1993-1994 (Report No. MID/CC/20) by DMM. Bulk sampling made jointly by DMM and Analysis (including beneficiation) made by CGCRI. The resource may be utilized in Paper, Rubber and Insecticides industries. This may also be used as filler.
7 Do D.M.M & C.G.C.R.I Mouza: Gagnabad, PS Kashipur, Dist Purulia Toposheet No. 73 I/11 Lat 23° 27' 03'' Long 86°42'48'' G4 2.07 (upto 7m depth approx)/ 324 Ferruginous, moderately plastic, beneficiation and application of masking glaze required 0.38 km away Road: Motorable roadlink to Kashipur and Adra; Nearest Rly. Stn.: Adra; Water source: Beko R. , a tributary of Darakeshwari R. Geological mapping: 1:31680 (2.0 Sq. miles); Large Scale Mapping: 1:3960 (0.5 Sq.miles);PT: 77; BH: 05; Sampling: 78 ; Analysis: 10 . Product of kaolinisation of feldspar in granitic rocks. Country rocks include Granite gneiss, Biotite granite, with Pegmatite,Vein Quartz and Amphibolite. Regional strike : N80°W-S80°E & Dip : 55° - 70°. Work done during 1978-79 (Report No.PUR/CC/11) by DMM.Later evaluated jointly by DMM & CGCRI in 2004 - 05 and Analysis (including beneficiation) made by CGCRI. The resource may be utilized in whitewares and pottery industries after proper blending with plastic clay.
8 Do DMM & CGCRI Mouza: Dalimbhija, PS Sarenga, Dist Bankura. SOI TS: 73 J/13; Lat 23°53.7' - 22°54.3'N / Long 87°56' - 87°57' G3 4.2 (upto 6m depth) Overburden: 0.5m to 3.0m Poor to moderate with off-white colour. Blending with suitable plastic clay and using masking glaze required, for using in pottery, stone wares etc. 3.79 km away Road: Motoratble (partly relief road); Railway: nearest Rly. Stn. is Bankura; Water source: Kasai River in the south-west with few nalas flowing southerly. Geological mapping (1:12500) : about 2 sq km; PT: 45 Nos.; Sampling and analysis: 12 nos. The clay deposit occurs as pockets under the lateritic cover of about 0.5 to 3m thick as overburden. Clay is associated with weathered mica schist in this area. The clay have been formed possibly after the kaolinization of feldspar of pegmatites. Work done during 1999-2003 by DMM (Report Nos. BAN/CC/22 ); Bulk sampling made jointly by DMM & CGCRI during 2003-2004 and analysis (including beneficiation) made by CGCRI.
9 Do DMM & CGCRI Around village Tipan, Mouza: Lakhyatapol, PS Simlapal, Dist Bankura SOI TS: 73 J/13;Lat 22° 56' 33'' - 22°57'31'' / Long 86°58'18'' - 86°58'57'' G3 0.05 upto 5.79m depth b.g.l.. Overburden 0.50 to 2.00m White to greyish and yellowish white with brown and at places reddish patches clay of medium to high plasticity, low fusible which can be used , after wsahing and proper blending with more plastic clay , for making low cost ceramic products and pottaries. 0.50 km away Road: The area is situated at about 67km south-west of Bankura Town and connected by motoratble road; Railway: nearest Railway stn. is Bankura on South Eastern Railway; Main water source:River Silabati (lying NE of the area and flowing NW to SE direction). Geological mapping (1:12500) : about 1 sq km; PT: 28 Nos. ; Sampling: 9 representative clay samples and 7 outcrop samples; Analysis: 1 bulk representative sample for characterization study at the laboratory of C.G.C.R.I. The extent of clay mineralization covers an area of 0.04 sq km. The area is characterized by granite gneiss, pegmatites and laterite. Under the laterite capping, clay occurs in major part of the area. At places, clay is exposed at the surface. The clay belongs to the Archaeans and is supposed to form due to the kaolinization of feldspar of pegmatite and granite. Work done during 1988-1989 & 2001-2002 by DMM (Report Nos.. BAN/CC/20 and BAN/CC/23); Bulk sampling made jointly by DMM & CGCRI during 2003-2004 and analysis (including beneficiation) made by CGCRI.
10 Do DMM & CGCRI Mouza: Makdumnagar, PS Mohd. Bazar, Dist Birbhum Lat 24°01'-24°02'/ Long 87°36.8'-87°38.3' G3 The estimated reserve is 0.1 million tonnes approx. upto to the depth of 6 meters with an average thickness through out the area of about 48,000 sq. m. The colour of crude clay varies from off-white to light cream & light buff.As per CGCRI the plasticity of beneficiated clay is very good & blending with suitable plastic clay would be absolutely necessary to develop adequate workiability & dry strength for handling the wares.The clay may be utilised in potteries, making tiles, stone wares etc. Forest boundary map not available. Road: Motorable; & partly village road. Nearest Rly. Stn.: Suri; Power: available; Water source: Dwaraka river in the NW part which flow east to west. A nala with its branches in the northern side is also avaible. Geological mapping (1:12500) : about 4 sq km; PT: 21 Nos.; Sampling and analysis:5 nos. The clay possibly formed by the kaolinisation of feldspar of granite gneiss occur under the overburden of laterite/lateritic gravel, alluvium & sandy soil at places, which varies from 2.1m to 4.95m. Ref: Report No.BAN/CC/24 & BK/CL/68. Work done during : 2005-06.
11 Dolomite DMM Mouza: Boch, PS Manbazar, Dist Purulia Lat 22° 58' 30''N - 22°59'N Long 86° 36' 50''E - 86° 37' 30''E G3 1.05 mi. tonnes (upto 60m depth, inclusive of all grades) [Grade I: 0.13, II: 0.18 & III: 0.74] CaO+MgO%: >45(Grade-I), 40-45(Grade II) & 40(Grade III); Acid insoluble%: <5 (Grade-I), 5-10(Grade II & 10-30(Grade III) 2.78 km away Road: Motorable (about 60 km SE of Purulia); Nearest Rly. Stn.: Barabhum ( 45 km approx.); Water: Kumari River nearby; P.O. Kumari Village; Health Centre: at Manbazar; Land: Cultivable, few hillocks (covered by medium to sparse vegetation); Temperature variation (approx.): 10oC (Winter) & 45oC (Peak summer); Annual Rainfall: 700mm-1400mm. Geological mapping: 14 sq km (1:12500); Large Scale mapping: 0.05 sq km (1:2000); Geo-reference study: Around 22o58'50"/86o37'13.4" ; Megascopic & Petrographic study; Trenching: 11 spots; Exploratory drilling: 8 nos. (mostly inclined); Sampling: 12(outcrop) & 218(drill core); Chemical analysis: 12 (outcrop samples) & 60 (drill core samples) Dolomite bands and lenses occur within a hillock of E-W trend and dipping 50o-70o northerly which are interbedded with meta-sediments(mainly phyllites) with occasional presence of specks of chalcopyrite & pyrite . The hillock lies in the east of Tamakhun. Work done during 1986-1988 by DMM,WB. Report No. PUR/DL/101. This resource can be offered for PL/exploration with proper beneficiation.
12 Quartz DMM Mouza: Janipur, PS Boro; Dist Purulia Lat 22° 52' 45'' N Long 86° 37' 37'' E, Topo sheet no. 73J/9 G4 1.46 (upto 20 m depth)/334 SiO2>99%; Fe2O3 approx 0.5% 0.50 km away Road : Deposit is connected by semi-metalled road ; Rail : Nearest rail station Purulia; Power : power available within 1 km.; Water source : no major water source Geological mapping: 4000 sq. km (1:3936) approx. ; Sampling & analysis :4nos. Strike length -80m width : 50m.. Quartz veins occur within the mica-schist & phylite Work done during 2007-08 by DMM (Report Nos.. PUR/QZ/172).
13 Do Do Mouza: Gobindapur PS Barrabazar, Dist Purulia Lat: 23° 01' Long: 86° 23', 73I/8 Do Recoverable reserve: 62,400 tonnes/334 SiO2: 98.64% to 99.18%; Fe2O3: 0.42% to 0.73% 1.77 km away Road : metalled road 4 km from Barabazar., kancha road 1km.; Rail : Nearest rail station Barabhum; Power : High tension power passes within 2 km.available within 0.5 km.; Water source : Nangasai river Geological mapping: 3000 sqm (1:3960) approx. ; Sampling & analysis : 4nos. Strike length -100mX avg width : 25m. Quartz veins occur within Schistose meta-basic Work done during 2004-05by DMM (Report Nos.. PUR/QZ/154).
14 Do Do Mouza: Berada, PS Barrabazar, Dist Purulia Lat: 23° 00' Long: 86° 15' , Toposheet no. 73I/4 Do 153,000 tonnes (upto 20m depth)/334 SiO2 > 99%; Fe2O3 approx 0.5% 5.56 km away Road : metalled road 14 km., kancha road 1km.; Rail : Nearest rail station Biramdih; Power : power available within 1-2 km.; Water source : no major water source Geological mapping: 5000sq m (1:3960) approx. ; Sampling & analysis : 6 nos. Strike length -140mX avg.width : 30m.). Quartz veins occur within the mica-schist Work done during 2005-06 by DMM (Report Nos.. PUR/QZ/166.
15 Do Do Mouza: Kendapara, PS Belpahari, Dist W.Midnapur Lat: 22° 37' long: 86° 44' Topo sheet no. 73J/10 Do 3.36 ( upto 20 m depth)/334 SiO2: 97.5% to 99.6%; mostly within the forest Road : metalled road 40 km., kancha road 4km.; Rail : Nearest rail station Jhargram; Power : High tension power available within 0.5 km.; Water source : no major water source Geological mapping: 4.sq km (1:12500) approx. ; Sampling & analysis : 9 nos. Strike length -450mX width : 100m.(Garpahar) & 550mx130m.(Kendapara). Quartz veins occur within the mica-schist Work done during 2002-03 by DMM (Report Nos.. MID/QZ/22 and BAN/CC/23).
16 Tungsten DMM Thanpahar, Cheradungri and Purnapani-Parasia Query sectors under Ghoraduba & Purnapani Mouzas (near Chhendapathr village) of Ranibandh (presently Barikul) P.S. of Bankuraq district. Chhenda pathar area, PS Ranibandh, Dist Bankura Parts of SOI TS Nos. 73 J/9, J/10, J/13 & J/14; Within the Lat. Lat 22° 44' 49'' - 22° 45' 29''N/ Long 86° 44' 25'' - 86° 47' 03'' E G3 Tentatively 1,73,063 tonnes of Tungsten Ore upto a vertical depth of 20m. [ Thanpahar : 82,012 tonnes, Cheradungri : 42,564 tonnes & Purnapani -Parasia: 48,487 tonnes]. 0.15% WO3 in average. 1.27 km away Road: Motoratble; Railway: Jhargram (65 km) and Bankura (85 km) on the South-Eastern Railway; Water source: Jhiku nala flowing south-easterly and some surface water reservoirs (ponds) and tube wells nearby and Villages: found both road sides and interior. Geological mapping (1:12500): about 6 sq km; Large scale (1:1000) Geological mapping at the Quarry sectors of Thanpar: 7200 sq m. (approx.), Cheradungri : 7000 sq m.(approx.) and Parasia-Purnapani : 11000 sq m.(approx.).; Drilling: 15 exploratory boreholes;Sampling and analysis: 145 nos. ( collected from the exposed rock faces and drill cores). Wolframite bearing pneumatolytic and hydrothermal quartz vein system is hosted by the meta-sediments and meta-volcanics of the Proterozoic Singbhum Group which were subjected to deformation, metamorphism and hydrothermal activity in a number of tectonic phases. Besides wolframite bearing quartz veins, tungsten is significantly concentrated also in metapellites and metavolcanics. The area is also characterized by the presence of other ore minerals like magnetite, ilmenite, haematite, goethite, cuprite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena, malachite, azurite, massive copper, chalcocite and covellite. In addition to tungsten the area also yields significant quantities of Cu, Bi, Mo and Pb. Work done during F.S. 1989-2002 (Report Nos. BAN/W/125 & BK/Tgst./70). Evidence of earlier excavation with dumps exist. Higher grade of exploration ( including beneficiation) and economic evaluation are still required before utilization of the ores. Hence this resource can be considered for further exploration of higher level as per guidelines of UNFC.
Note : The Resources may be considered for further prospecting / Exploration of higher level as per guidelines of UNFC.