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Bihar's granite deposits potential forex earners, say experts

Bihar has enormous deposits of decorative and monumental granite stones which, if scientifically exploited, could earn huge foreign exchange for the country, according to experts.

Recent sub-surface and airborne geotechnical explorations by the Geological Survey of India experts in south Bihar identified commercial and export quality granite deposits to the extent of 135 million cubic metres.

The GSI authorities had initially covered 115 potential localities spanning over 1,855 square kilometres for exploration which resulted in the encouraging findings. The second phase of resource assessment was expected to be completed by the turn of the century.

The granite belt was identified in parts of Dumka, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Giridih, Singhbhum and Ranchi districts. Most of the deposits were located in areas with good transport facility including rail link, experts said suggesting that aggressive scientific exploitation should be initiated for revenue earning.

They pointed out that insecurity and threats from criminal elements had been hampering the exploration work in the interior areas. The state could prosper if the geo-scientists were allowed to work without any fear, they added.

Recent investigations revealed that these dimension stones, particularly from the Chotanagpur region were in no way inferior to those located in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa.

The commercial varieties identified included black granite of varying texture and multi-coloured variety in grey, pink, brown, yellow and white.

Another significant feature of these granite stones was that some rocks had eye-catching designs like that of tiger skin, zebra stripes and augen (eye-like) having tremendous export potential.

Some of these attractive granite slabs were displayed in an exhibition sponsored by the GSI in connection with the national seminar on geoscientific advances in Bihar.

On the other hand, geotechnical parameters of the samples showed they were of Indian Standard Institutes specifications.

With results more encouraging, the scientists were considering scrutiny of the vast potential of the dimension stones in more and more areas of the Chotanagpur region and Singhbhum province.

Another interesting find during exploration was discovery of ''apatite'' mineral associated with the granite stones in Singhbhum shear zone.

Apatite has wide applications in the platform constructions, drilling operations, unearthing oil and natural gas and also in abrasive industry.

A reserve of 3.73 million tonnes of 11.89 per cent phosphorous pentoxide content had been probed for a strike length of 6.80 km and a depth of 60 metres.

Search for rare earth elements along the western continuation of north Purulia shear zone was also carried out in the granite belt, experts said.

Exhaustive geological scanning in Deoghar district brought to light 25 prospects of decorative and monumental granites. All these areas were well connected with road and rail links.

These aesthetic commercial varieties had a potential market abroad. While the colourful decorative granite was in great demand in Italy and other parts of Europe, the black monumental type had export potential in Japan. The demand for these varieties was on rise in the international market every year, experts said.

The GSI had also located decorative type of granite in Godda district in Chamudhi-Karudhi area, with rare ''tiger skin'' marks have a huge demand in Europe. They had enormous applications in interior wall panelling, flooring, wall cladding, kitchen platform, table top, sinks, flower vases and ash-tray making in their polished form.

With most of the granite belt of Bihar largely dominated by a poor tribal population, availability of labour force to exploit the granite resources was not a problem. The raw materials and finished products could be easily transported from the source itself for marketing anywhere in the country.

On the other hand, the port facilities at Paradeep and Calcutta could be better utilised for export of these granite stones with added infrastructural facilities, experts said.

They, however, warned of attendant environmental problems like land degradation, deforestation, water and air pollution during mining which in turn could cause socio-economic problems in due course, if not attended to.

The geoscientists suggested remedial measures to minimise environmental problems including raising of a green belt around the granite quarries, simultaneous afforestation, use of appropriate equipment for control of air and water pollution and systematic and scientific exploitation.

The major problem associated with the dimension stone mining would be disposal of waste material which could be solved by using the material as rock aggregate for construction of various civil structures such as highways, buildings, bridges and dams.

Physical properties of the rock aggregate from the granite mines were tested and found suitable for use in construction of different civil structures as they met required standards.

With the passage of time, new landforms and water regime would develop in the region which required advance planning to combat environmental degradation, experts said.

The scientists, using photogeological and aeoromagnetic techniques had prepared geological maps delineating various granite resources in Bihar to benefit commercial exploitation of the natural wealth with ease.

UNI