Lok Sabha Question No. 103 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Mineral Exploration
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.103 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 nd  May, 2016

## MINERAL EXPLORATION

## *103.   SHRI VINAYAK BAURAO RAUT DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  carry  out  mineral  exploration  in  a  planned  and time-bound  manner  and  if  so,  the  details  of  mineral  exploration  targets  fixed  during 2015-16 and 2016-17 and achievement made, mineral-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  role  being  played  by  the  geoscientists  in upscaling the level of exploration in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the steps/ initiatives taken/being taken by the Government to encourage the geoscientists to contribute their best for harnessing natural resources for development of the country?

## A  N   S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STEEL & MINES (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

* * *

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.103 REGARDING MINERAL EXPLORATION ASKED BY SHRI VINAYAK BAURAO RAUT AND DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE FOR ANSWER ON 2 ND  MAY 2016

- a) Yes. Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, takes up mineral exploration work through its annual field season programs (FSP). GSI also ensures that regional and detailed exploration is carried out systematically in a time bound manner following the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) guidelines (G4, G3, G2 & G1 stages  of  exploration).  Further,  GSI  carries  out  off  shore  mineral  investigation  in  the territorial  waters  (TW)  and  exclusive  economic  zone  (EEZ)  of  India  using  its  research vessels as per its annual field season programs.

Apart from GSI, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER), a constituent of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is carrying out exploration in a planned and time-bound manner to identify and evaluate reserves of minerals, such as, uranium etc. required for successful implementation of Nuclear Power Program of the country.

Besides, Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL), a PSU under Ministry of Mines is also carrying out exploration by promotional funding of Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Coal as per plans and timelines set by the government.

The details of the target and achievements of above three agencies are given below.

## Mineral wise Target vs Achievement of GSI for FS 2015-16, and Target for FS 2016-17 is Annexed.

## Mineral-wise physical targets and achievements of AMD, DAE

| Activities                               | Activities                               | Target (2015-16)   | Achievement (2015-16) As on Feb 2016   | Target (2016-17)   |
|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------|
| Uranium investigations                   | Uranium investigations                   |                    |                                        |                    |
| 1.                                       | Airborne Survey (L. km.)                 | 90,000             | 15,392.20                              | 1,10,000           |
| 2.                                       | Reconnaissance Survey (sq. km.)          | 3,900              | 3,904                                  | 3,100              |
| 3.                                       | Geochemical Survey (sq. km.)             | 2,600              | 2,825                                  | 2,000              |
| 4.                                       | Detailed Survey (sq. km.)                | 225                | 203.20                                 | 207                |
| 5.                                       | Ground Geophysical Survey (sq. km.)      | 500                | 577.72                                 | 500                |
| 6.                                       | Drilling (m)                             | 1,92,200           | 1,65,412                               | 1,57,400           |
| Rare Metal and Rare Earth investigations | Rare Metal and Rare Earth investigations |                    |                                        |                    |
| 1.                                       | Reconnaissance Survey (sq. km.)          | 400                | 510                                    | 400                |
| 2.                                       | Detailed Survey (sq. km.)                | 4                  | 13.34                                  | 4                  |
| Beach Sand Heavy Minerals investigations | Beach Sand Heavy Minerals investigations |                    |                                        |                    |
| 1.                                       | Reconnaissance Survey (sq. km.)          | 100                | 111.92                                 | 75                 |
| 2.                                       | Detailed Survey (sq. km.)                | 8                  | 9.66                                   | 4                  |
| 3.                                       | Drilling (m)                             | 8,000              | 12,192                                 | 6,500              |

## Mineral-wise physical targets and achievements of MECL

|                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                | FY 2015-16                                                                                                                     | FY 2015-16                                                                                                                     | FY 2016-17   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| Sl. No.                                                                                                                        | Mineral                                                                                                                        | Target                                                                                                                         | Actual Achievement                                                                                                             | Target       |
|                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                | Drilling (in m)                                                                                                                | Drilling (in m)                                                                                                                |              |
| Through promotional funding of Ministry of Coal                                                                                | Through promotional funding of Ministry of Coal                                                                                | Through promotional funding of Ministry of Coal                                                                                | Through promotional funding of Ministry of Coal                                                                                |              |
| 1                                                                                                                              | Coal                                                                                                                           | 62,500                                                                                                                         | 35,216                                                                                                                         | 40,000       |
| 2                                                                                                                              | Lignite                                                                                                                        | 24,750                                                                                                                         | 52,304                                                                                                                         | 25,000       |
| Through promotional funding of Ministry of Mines, Mineral Exploration Fund (MEF) and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) | Through promotional funding of Ministry of Mines, Mineral Exploration Fund (MEF) and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) | Through promotional funding of Ministry of Mines, Mineral Exploration Fund (MEF) and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) | Through promotional funding of Ministry of Mines, Mineral Exploration Fund (MEF) and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) |              |
| 3                                                                                                                              | Gold                                                                                                                           | 2560                                                                                                                           | 2868                                                                                                                           | 3,000        |

| 4                                               | Copper                                          | 5260                                            | 3439                                            | 5,000                                           |
|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 5                                               | Lead - Zinc & Copper                            | 1280                                            | 108                                             | -                                               |
| 6                                               | Molybdenum                                      | -                                               | 2894                                            | 1,000                                           |
| 7                                               | Potash                                          | -                                               | 166                                             | 5,000                                           |
| 8                                               | Iron                                            | -                                               | -                                               | 7,500                                           |
| 9                                               | Limestone                                       | -                                               | -                                               | 1,500                                           |
| Through contractual funding by various agencies | Through contractual funding by various agencies | Through contractual funding by various agencies | Through contractual funding by various agencies | Through contractual funding by various agencies |
| 10                                              | Coal                                            | 2,56,682                                        | 2,82,787                                        | 3,82,000                                        |
| 11                                              | Lignite                                         | -                                               | 567                                             | -                                               |
| 12                                              | Iron                                            | 13,668                                          | 17,694                                          | 46,000                                          |
| 13                                              | Bauxite                                         | 10,000                                          | 2,074                                           | -                                               |
| 14                                              | Copper                                          | 3,300                                           | 2,359                                           | 4,000                                           |
| 15                                              | Limestone                                       | 5,000                                           | 0                                               | -                                               |
|                                                 | Total                                           | 3,85,000                                        | 4,02,476                                        | 5,20,000                                        |

- b) Yes. GSI continuously upgrades the knowledge and skill of its geoscientists and upgrades its equipment of field survey and laboratories as per the global practice. Besides, DAE with its  conceptual  geoscientific  modelling  and  innovative  multi-faceted  exploration  strategy  is augmenting atomic mineral resources on a regular basis.
- c) Geoscientists of GSI are provided with the state-of-the-art training, the logistic support, latest field equipment and laboratory support for achieving the objectives of the projects or activity they are involved in as per the field season programs (FSP). Besides, the government also encourages  collaborations  with  global  exploration  agencies  for  knowledge  sharing  and technological  upgradation.  DAE  encourages  its  geoscientists  through  award  of  degrees, merit  based  promotions,  additional  increments  and  various  training  programs.  It  also  lays emphasis on collaborative programs between the DAE personnel and scientific community outside DAE.

Further,  for  encouraging  geoscientists,  the  prestigious  National  Geoscience  Awards  in various  categories  are  also  given  every  year  by  the  Ministry  of  Mines  for  outstanding contribution in various fields of Geoscience including mineral discoveries and exploration.

*****

## Commodity wise Target vs Achievement of GSI for FS 2015-16 and Target for FS 2016-17

|                                                  |                                                  | Target vs Achievement   | Target vs Achievement   | Target vs Achievement   | Target vs Achievement   | Target vs Achievement   | Target vs Achievement   | Target vs Achievement   | Target FS 2016-17   | Target FS 2016-17   | Target FS 2016-17   | Target FS 2016-17   |
|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|
| Group                                            | Commodity                                        | No. of Programs         | LSM in sq km            | LSM in sq km            | DM in sq km             | DM in sq km             | Drilling inm            | Drilling inm            | No. of Programs     | LSM in sq km        | DM in sq km         | Drilling in m       |
| Group                                            | Commodity                                        | No. of Programs         | Target                  | Achvmt.                 | Target                  | Achvmt.                 | Target                  | Achvmt.                 | No. of Programs     | LSM in sq km        | DM in sq km         | Drilling in m       |
|                                                  | Iron                                             | 13                      | 624.00                  | 730.00                  | 7.34                    | 6.70                    | 12500                   | 5150.05                 | 24                  |                     |                     |                     |
|                                                  | Manganese                                        | 2                       |                         |                         | 3.50                    | 3.50                    |                         |                         | 8                   |                     |                     |                     |
|                                                  | Chromite / Chromium                              | 2                       | 50.00                   | 50.00                   |                         |                         |                         |                         | 2                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Non- Ferrous                                     | Basemetal                                        | 25                      | 835.00                  | 872.00                  | 11.95                   | 12.18                   | 17100                   | 12022.60                | 25                  |                     |                     |                     |
| Non- Ferrous                                     | Bauxite                                          | 5                       | 50.00                   | 50.00                   | 6.50                    | 6.55                    | 1980                    | 2022.25                 | 12                  |                     |                     |                     |
| Precious                                         | Gold                                             | 22                      | 775.00                  | 805.00                  | 11.50                   | 10.43                   | 8106.70                 | 6450.55                 | 24                  |                     |                     |                     |
| Precious                                         | Diamond                                          | 9                       | 50.00                   | 50.00                   |                         |                         |                         |                         | 4                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Precious                                         | PGE                                              | 8                       | 400.00                  | 400.00                  | 1.50                    | 1.50                    | 2800.                   | 2607.65                 | 2                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Precious                                         | Cobalt                                           | 1                       | 100.00                  | 102.00                  |                         |                         |                         |                         | -                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Strategic                                        | Tin, Tungsten, Molybdenum                        | 8                       | 200.00                  | 208.00                  | 8.90                    | 9.05                    | 3500                    | 2492.85                 | 6                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Strategic                                        | REE & RM                                         | 14                      | 935.00                  | 946.00                  | 6.50                    | 6.90                    | 1500                    | 921.70                  | 13                  |                     |                     |                     |
| Fertilizer                                       | Potash                                           | 1                       | 150.00                  | 97.00                   |                         |                         | 300                     | 130.00                  | 2                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Fertilizer                                       | Glauconite                                       | 3                       | 200.00                  | 200.00                  | 1.00                    | 1.00                    | 1000                    | 1015.00                 | 2                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Fertilizer                                       | Gypsum                                           | 3                       | 225.00                  | 227.00                  | 1.00                    | 1.00                    |                         |                         | -                   | 5,500               | 103                 | 1,13,000            |
| Fertilizer                                       | Phosphorite                                      | 1                       | 100.00                  | 100.00                  | 0.75                    | 1.85                    | 200                     | 0.00                    | -                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Dunite                                           | 1                       |                         |                         | 5.00                    | 5.00                    | 800                     | 757.95                  | -                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Graphite                                         | 3                       | 55.00                   | 55.00                   | 0.75                    | 0.76                    | 3000                    | 3378.05                 | 2                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Limestone                                        | 8                       | 225.00                  | 204.00                  | 38.50                   | 38.05                   | 11200                   | 9870.75                 | 22                  |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Pyrophyllite                                     | 1                       | 100.00                  | 100.00                  |                         |                         |                         |                         | -                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Andalusite                                       | 1                       |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         | 2                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       |                                                  |                         |                         |                         | 1.00                    | 1.22                    | 2000.00                 | 1994.05                 |                     |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Sandstone Dimension Stone                        | 1                       | 50.00 50.00             | 51.00                   |                         |                         |                         |                         | - -                 |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Glass Sand                                       | 1                       |                         | 55.00                   |                         |                         |                         |                         | 1                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Barite                                           |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         | 1                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Quartzite                                        |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         | 1                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Industrial                                       | Clay                                             |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         |                         | 1                   |                     |                     |                     |
| Coal & Lignite                                   | Coal                                             | 28                      | 699.98                  | 614.98                  |                         |                         | 47500.25                | 45149.11                |                     |                     |                     |                     |
| Coal & Lignite                                   | Lignite                                          | 28                      |                         |                         |                         |                         | 7800.00                 | 8852.40                 | 19                  |                     |                     |                     |
|                                                  | TOTAL                                            | 160                     | 5873.98                 | 5916.98                 | 105.69                  | 105.69                  | 1,21,286.95             | 1,02,814.96             | 173                 | 5,500               | 103                 | 1,13,000            |
| Preliminary Mineral Investigation within EEZ (in | Preliminary Mineral Investigation within EEZ (in | 11                      |                         | 15,000                  |                         |                         | 15,819                  |                         | 17                  |                     | 25,000              |                     |