Lok Sabha Question No. 2942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Mineral Exploration
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2942 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

## MINERAL EXPLORATION

## 2942.     SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to undertake mineral exploration in a planned and time bound manner:
- (b) if so, the details of the mineral exploration targets along with the achievements during the year 2019-20 and the year 2020-21, mineral-wise;
- (c) whether the Government is aware of the role being played by geologists in raising the level of exploration in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  The  formulation  and  execution  of  the  mineral  exploration programmes of Geological Survey of India  (GSI),  an  attached  office  of  Ministry  of Mines,  are  carried  out  in  planned  and  time  bound  manner.  All  programmes  are systematically evaluated at different levels and the same is approved in the Central Geological Programme Board (CGPB) meeting before initiation of the projects. As per annual field season  program, GSI  carries out 'reconnaissance survey' [G4], 'preliminary exploration' [G3] and 'general exploration' [G2] with an aim to augment resource for various mineral commodities.

During field season 2019-20 and 2020-21, GSI had taken up 338 and 180 nos. of G2/G3/G4 projects respectively for various mineral commodities. The details are tabulated in the Annexure.

- (c) & (d): Yes, Sir. The Government is aware of the role played by geologists in raising the level of the exploration in the country. The geologists of the Geological Survey of India, Central Public Sector Undertakings such as Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited, State Government Departments of Geology and Mining, State Public Sector Enterprises and Private Sector exploration entities are playing a crucial role  in  carrying  out  various  exploration  programmes  and  identification  of  mineral resources.  As a result of exploration activities done by geologists, the following have been achieved:
- i. The Obvious Geological Potential [OGP] area has increased from 5.71 to 6.88 lakh sq. kms.
- ii. A total of 180 nos. G2/G3 and 252 nos. G4 mineral blocks have been handed over to State Governments for auction.
- iii. A total of 6 G2/G3 reports for Platinum Group of Elements [2 nos.], Potash [2 nos.]  and  Molybdenum  [2  nos.]  have  been  given  for  the  first  time  to  State Governments for auction. Also, a G4 block of Potash has been handed over to State Government of Punjab for auctioning as a composite licence.

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Details of mineral exploration Project taken up during FS 2019-20 & 2020-21 (commodity-wise & stage-wise)

| Field Season                 | 2019-20                 | 2019-20                      | Field Season       | 2020-21                 | 2020-21                      |
|------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------|
| Commodity                    | Target (No of projects) | Achievement (No of projects) | Commodity          | Target (No of projects) | Achievement (No of projects) |
| Iron Ore                     | 26                      | 26                           | Iron Ore           | 6                       | 6                            |
| Manganese                    | 24                      | 24                           | Manganese          | 14                      | 14                           |
| Chromite/ Chromium           | 6                       | 6                            | Chromite/ Chromium | 2                       | 2                            |
| Gold                         | 30                      | 30                           | Gold               | 21                      | 20*                          |
| PGE                          | 9                       | 9                            | PGE                | 1                       | 1                            |
| Diamond                      | 12                      | 12                           | Diamond            | 2                       | 2                            |
| Base metals                  | 81                      | 81                           | Base metals        | 45                      | 45                           |
| REE & RM                     | 50                      | 50                           | REE & RM           | 18                      | 17*                          |
| Molybdenum                   | 4                       | 4                            | Molybdenum         | 3                       | 3                            |
| Nickel                       | 12                      | 12                           | Nickel             | 7                       | 7                            |
| Tungsten                     | 8                       | 8                            | Tungsten           | 10                      | 10                           |
| Tin                          | 1                       | 1                            | Lithium            | 3                       | 3                            |
| Limestone                    | 18                      | 18                           | Scandium           | 1                       | 1                            |
| Lithium                      | 3                       | 3                            | Bauxite            | 7                       | 7                            |
| Antimony                     | 1                       | 1                            | Barite             | 2                       | 2                            |
| Bauxite                      | 12                      | 12                           | Graphite           | 7                       | 7                            |
| Vanadium                     | 3                       | 3                            | Potash             | 6                       | 6                            |
| Graphite                     | 6                       | 6                            | Phosphorite        | 3                       | 3                            |
| Dunite                       | 1                       | 1                            | Coal               | 17                      | 17                           |
| Potash                       | 5                       | 5                            | Lignite            | 3                       | 3                            |
| Phosphorite                  | 2                       | 2                            | Shale Gas          | 2                       | 2                            |
| Gypsum                       | 2                       | 2                            |                    |                         |                              |
| Decorative & Dimension Stone | 1                       | 1                            |                    |                         |                              |
| Heavy mineral                | 1                       | 1                            |                    |                         |                              |
| Coal                         | 17                      | 17                           |                    |                         |                              |
| Lignite                      | 2                       | 2                            |                    |                         |                              |
| Shale Gas                    | 1                       | 1                            |                    |                         |                              |
| Total                        | 338                     | 338                          | Total              | 180                     | 178*                         |

Note: *2 items of NER (1 in Gold and 1 in REE) pertaining to FS: 2020-21 are running as spillover project during current FS 2022-23 for completion of remaining drilling. The delay in drilling is due to tough terrain condition and local disturbances. The remaining drilling target for both the blocks will be achieved by Aug, 2022.

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