Chhattisgarh becomes third in mineral production

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh has become the third largest producer of minerals in the country with record production worth Rs 7000 crore during 2006-2007.

With these production figures, Chhattisgarh is behind only Orissa and Jharkhand in the mineral tally. The state has also earned revenues of Rs 832 crore from minerals, officials said here today.

In order to maintain this trend, the state government has decided to give priority to the mining of iron ore, coal, bauxite and lime stone in the current year's plan, they said.

Besides, deposits of diamond have been found in Raipur. Gold has been discovered in the Sonakhan area of the capital while Sitalpur-Bhelwapani, Mitchgaon, Bhuski and Gardi in Kanker district also have precious metal deposits, the officials said.

Uranium has also been found in the Gotulmuta area in Durg district and the Indrawati river basin, they said.

Chhattisgarh has a lot of mineral potential as it has rich deposits of coal, iron ore, bauxite and limestone, they added.