Lok Sabha Question No. 2376 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Aero Geo-Physical Mapping Project
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Jayant Sinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2376 ANSWERED ON 15.03.2023

## AERO GEO-PHYSICAL MAPPING PROJECT

2376. SHRI JAYANT SINHA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features of the National Aero Geo-Physical Mapping Project to gather information on deep seated minerals;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  targets  of  the  Project  based  on  terrain  types  including  the achievements made, till January 2023;
- (c)  whether  any  crucial  information  has  been  gathered  about  the  minerals  in Jharkhand; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Geological Survey of India (GSI) is executing national project of regional aerogeophysical survey titled 'National Aero-Geophysical Mapping Programme (NAGMP)' since  2017  to  acquire  uniform  magnetic  (horizontal  gradiometry)  and  gamma  ray spectrometer data initially over priority areas of 7.78 lakh sq.km Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) areas (in 12 blocks) through outsourcing using NMET fund in PhaseI.  Other areas will be covered in phase-2.

The acquisition of seamless high resolution, regional data gathered through 80m flying height is aimed to delineate concealed, deep seated structure / litho-units that may host  mineralization,  to  delineate  extension  of  the  existing  mineralized  zone  and understating of shallow crustal architecture in the context of mineral occurrence and prognostication of suitable areas for mineral targeting.

As part of Phase-I study under NAGMP, 5 blocks covering 2.68 lakh sq. km area have been  completed  and  150  potential  areas  have  been  identified  for  further  stage  of detailing to launch future mineral exploration programme.

- (b): The details of completed/ongoing blocks are given in Annexure-1 & 2.

(c) & (d): A total of 4,453 Sq. km area of Jharkhand has been covered by NAGMP and selected potential areas have been identified in parts of Palamu and Garhwa districts, Jharkand for further ground validation through systematic survey & exploration.

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## The  details  of  NAGMP  project  based  on  terrain  types  and  the  achievements  made  in  the completed survey Blocks:

| Survey Block No.   | Target Area Sq. Km.   | Target Line Km   | Status    | Total identified prospective Potential exploration target areas   | Geological Domain                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|--------------------|-----------------------|------------------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Block-1            | 52,700                | 1,93,234         | Completed | 13 areas                                                          | Main supergroups: Aravalli Supergroup Delhi Supergroup Marwar Supergroup Malani Igneous Suite . Beside these four supergroups following individual domains are described: Sendra-Ambaji & Erinpura granites, Barmer Basin & Mesozoic sediments of Lathi & Fatehgarh formation & Mundwara and Sarnu-Dandali alkaline complex. |
| Block-2            | 43,822                | 1,60,681         | Completed | 18 areas                                                          | Paleoproterozoic Bundelkhand Granitoid Complex, Vindhyan platformal sediments, Bundelkhand Gneiss Complex and Deccan Trap                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Block-3            | 39,144                | 1,43,530         | Completed | 50 areas                                                          | Mahakoshal group, Mesoproterozoic Vindhyan supergroup, Chhotanagpur gneissic complex, Gondwana Supergroup, Cretaceous Deccan Trap and Paleoproterozoic granitoids                                                                                                                                                            |
| Block-4            | 44,861                | 1,64,490         | Completed | 29 areas                                                          | Bastar Craton, Dharwar Craton, North India Craton, Godavari Graben, Central Indian Shear zone, Deccan Trap and Gondwana Supergroup                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Block- 11          | 87,429                | 3,20,488         | Completed | 40 areas                                                          | Archean Sargur Group, Peninsular gneiss complex, Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt, Cuddapah basin, Gondwana sediments and Southern Granulite Terrain                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Total              | 2,67,956              | 9,82,423         | Completed | 150 areas                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

## Annexure-2

## The  details  of  NAGMP  project  based  on  terrain  types  and  the  achievements  made  till  31st January, 2023 of the ongoing survey Blocks:

| Survey Block No.   | Target Area Sq. Km.   | Target Line Km   | Status                           | Geological Domain                                                                                                                                                              | Remarks                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|--------------------|-----------------------|------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Block-6            | 76,049                | 278,846          | 13,747 Line Km (till 31.01.2023) | Dharwar, Calc- alkaline Closepet Granite, comprises of Granites - greenstone terrain and Bundelkhand & Bastar, Granite Pluton and Granitic Gniess covered by younger sediments | Aero-geophysical Survey operation has commenced from Chandrapur air base on 05th December, 2022. Survey operation is in Progress. A total of 13,747 Line Km survey has been completed as on 31.01.2023. |
| Block-8            | 87,914                | 322,351          | 88,166 Line Km (till 31.01.2023) | Dharwar, Calc- alkaline Closepet Granite, comprises of Granites - greenstone terrain                                                                                           | Aero-geophysical Survey operation has commenced from Puttaparthi air base on 30th November, 2022. Survey operation is in Progress. A total of 88,166 Line Km has been completed as on 31.01.2023.       |
| Total              | 1,63,963              | 6,01,197         | 1,01,913 L. Km.                  |                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

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