Introduction
From the point of view of mineral resources, Uttar Pradesh is a ‘lower middle class’ state. Here minerals and sub-minerals are found in Vindhya series rocks, Bundelkhand regions, lower parts of the Himalayan range and some river valleys.
Minerals in UP are mainly found in the plateau areas of the south. The main reason of the inadequate mineral resources in UP is that most parts of state are covered under alluvial deposits. These areas are good for agriculture but lack the availability of mineral resources.
In 1955, the Directorate of Geology and Mineral Works was established for exploration, development and establishment of industries in the state.
Uttar Pradesh State Mineral Development Corporation was established in 1974 for the purpose of developing mineral deposits discovered by the directorate and setting up industries based on them, which has been dissolved in the year 2020.
Mineral Policies of Uttar Pradesh
The first mineral policy of the state was announced in December 1998, in which mineral development was given the status of industry.
In this policy, 12 districts of the state were declared as mineral-rich areas, which are as follows- Prayagraj, Jhansi, Saharanpur, Mirzapur, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Mahoba, Sonbhadra, Chitrakoot, Chandauli, Banda, Hamirpur etc.
In the new mining policy implemented from May 2017, several measures have been taken to deal with corruption. The royalty target has been increased from 1.85% to 3%.
Innovations and Initiatives
Recently, huge deposits of china clay and small deposits of sillimanite have been found in Sonbhadra.
Commercial use of sandstone found in Mirzapur (Ahraura and other places) has started.
Exploration of gold and coal is in progress in Sonbhadra.
Asbestos exploration is in progress at Jhansi.
The discovery of diamond in Banda and the discovery of gold and platinum class metals in Lalitpur are in progress.
Major Minerals
The minerals found in Uttar Pradesh can be divided into the following three categories.
- Bauxite, diaspore, dolomite, gypsum, limestone, magnesite, ocher (ochre), phosphorite, pyrophyllite, silicasand, sulfur and coal are the major minerals found in the state.
- While morang, gravel, building stone, marble, common sand, pebble saltpeter and limestone etc. are the major secondary minerals or sub-minerals.
- Apart from these, some other minerals are also found in small quantities.
UP the major holder in the Andalusite and Diaspore mineral resources in the country. It holds 78% of Andalusite and 26% of Diaspore, 16.3% of Sillimanate and 13% of Pyrophyllite [ IMYB : 2020 ].
Limestone
High grade limestone is available in abundance in Gurma, Kanach, Babuhari and Rohtas areas of Mirzapur district and Kajrahat area of Sonbhadra. Limestone for Chunar, Churk and Dalla cement factories is obtained from these places.
In terms of the accumulated amount of limestone, the state has the second place in the country.
Coal
Uttar Pradesh holds the 8th position in the country in terms of coal reserves. Here coal is found in the Gondwana rocks of Sonbhadra. Coal obtained from Singrauli region of Sonbhadra is used in Obra Thermal Power Station and Singrauli Plant.
Bauxite
It is the main ore of aluminium. It is found in Banda, Chandauli and Lalitpur districts of Uttar Pradesh. Extraction of aluminum from this ore is being done by the Hindalco company located in Renukut (Sonbhadra).
Dolomite
In Uttar Pradesh, high grade dolomite mineral is obtained from Kajrahat area in Sonbhadra. It is used in the steel industry for making fluxes and refractories (heat resistant). Dolomite is also found in Banda district. It is used in the manufacture of Portland cement, plaster of Paris and sulfur and acid.
Glass Sand (Silica Sand)
In terms of production of sand, Uttar Pradesh ranks second in the country after Andhra Pradesh. Glass-making silica sand is obtained from the river Ganga and Yamuna in the state. Glass sand is obtained from Shankargarh and Yamuna river areas of Prayagraj district, Chakia area of Chandauli, Mundari and Wala Behet areas of Jhansi and Lohgarh, Bargarh and Dhandrol areas of Banda and Chitrakoot districts of the state. According to experts, the safe reserve of glass sand in the state is more than 100 million tonnes.
Potash Salts
Potash salts are obtained from Prayagraj, Chandauli, Jhansi and Banda districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Andalusite
This mineral is available in large quantity in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra. It has more iron content, but less alumina and alkali content. It is used in the porcelain and spark plug industries.
Pyrophyllite
This mineral is found in Jhansi, Lalitpur, Mahoba and Hamirpur districts of the state. It is used in heat treatment and ceramic industry. Pesticides are also manufactured from this.
Steatite
Hamirpur and Jhansi districts of the state have deposits of Selkhari mineral. It is also known as talc and soap stone. It is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, talcum powder, insecticide powder, textile and paper etc.
Pyrites
This mineral is found in sufficient quantity in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts of the state.
China Clay
China clay is found in Sonbhadra and Banda districts of the state.
Fire Clay (Nonplastic)
Deposits of fire clay have been found in Gondwana age rocks in Bansi, Makri and Khoh areas of Mirzapur district in the state.
Rock Phosphate
Durmala, Kimoi, Masrana, Mal Devta and Chamsari in Lalitpur have immense reserves of rock phosphate. New areas have been obtained in Banda district. It is used in the fertilizer industry and in the treatment of acidic soils.
Diamond
Diamond is found in some quantity in Banda in Uttar Pradesh. Some diamonds have also been found in the forest of Mirzapur. According to new discoveries, there is a possibility of extensive diamond deposits in the border area of Banda (Kalinjar).
Gold
In Uttar Pradesh, some amount of gold is found in the sands of Sharda and Ramganga rivers. According to the latest discoveries, there is a possibility of gold mineral in Bhikhampur area of Lalitpur district and Hardi area of Sonbhadra.
Copper
Sonrai area of Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh is the main area of copper production. Copper is mainly found in the form of veins in igneous and sedimentary rocks.
Uranium
Limited reserves of uranium have been discovered in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
Marble
Marble and other building stones are found in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts.
Asbestos
Asbestos is found in Mirzapur and Baragaon areas of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. It is mainly used in cement manufacturing and electrical equipment. It has the ability to tolerate heat and not be affected much by chemical action.
Gypsum
Gypsum is found in Jhansi and Hamirpur districts of the state. It is mainly used in the manufacture of chemical substances called cement, sulfur and ammonium sulphate.
Power Resources – Uttar Pradesh
Water Resources In Uttar Pradesh