Resources

Mineral Resources

China Clay : China  Clay   is  found  in  Md. Bazar  (23^o58’ : 87^o34’),  Kamarpur–Chore(23^o59’ : 87^o35’),  Saluka (24^o08’ : 87^o37’),  Makhdumnagar (24^o02’: 87^o37’),   Adda-Amritpur, Pritijor- Chandidarpur, Tentulia, Vaska (24^o01’ : 87^o41’), Dewanganj (24^o3’ : 87^o35’) areas . The China Clay mine bed thickness varies from 4.57m to 17m. The deposits may find use in the following industries subject to feasibility study of each depots with regard to their suitability in particular industry – (a) Ceramic Glazed Tiles, (b) High Tension Insulators, (c) Sanitary ware, (d) Earthenware bodies, (e) Stoneware bodies, (f) Porcelain insulators.

 Building material / road metal (Stone) – Excellent quality of road metals in huge quantity are available under P.S. – Md. Bazar (Hatgacha – JL No – 1, Pachami – JL NO – 5, Chanda – JL No 2, Nischintapur – JL No – 37, Dewangunj- JL NO – 30), Rampurhat (Chhora – JL No 5, Chakaipur – JL NO 15, Mandala – JL No 16, Tarachua – JL NO 36), Nalhati (Madna – JL No 11, Bahadurpur – JL No 12, Haritola – JL No 19, Bhabanandapur – JL No 24) and Murarai (Baragopalpur – JL No 1) are already being exploited for constructional purpose.  Based on the above noted deposits, a chain of stone crushing and sizing units may be set up. The Pachami deposit being worked at present can be extensively developed and explicated in a much bigger & systematic way. Recently W.B. Minor Mineral Rules, 2002 has been promulgated with this end in view also.

Geothermal Resources : So far only the Bakreswar Thermal springs had been known as the only major source of Thermal Energy in the states recent investigations however, have proved that the Geothermal field is quite extensive and extends over a strike length of 35Km from Rajnagar through Bakreswar to Santiniketan.Subject to further investigations, the hot water available may be utilised for setting up of (1) Mineral Water Plant after defluorination (2) for space heating (3) refrigeration unit and (4) Green House cultivation GSI & SWID may take further action in this regard.

Quartz & Feldspar : Occurrence of quartz & feldspar reported till recently, requires detail exploration as it may find valuable use in ceramic and other allied industries.Directorate of Mines and Minerals has undertaken preliminary prospecting of such occurrences.

Coal:    

(i) Dewangunj – Harisingha (24^o5’24” : 87^o35’35”) in P.S. – Md Bazar. This block represents the western fringe part of the Birbhum Coalfield. Thin of moderately thick coal seams have been identified. The coal seams are grouped into three zones with a proved reserve of 31.21 million tonnes.The coal is of high moisture, high volatile, non-coking type with low rank which find use in thermal power generation and for production of domestic fuel like briquettes and agglomerates. Calorific value 3875K.Cal/Kg.

(ii) Deocha – Pachami – Dholkata area in P.S. Md. Bazar. The block is situated to the east of Dewangunj – Harisingha block at about 16KM north of Suri. Coal lies beneath basaltic trappen rock at a varying depths between 270m & 718m. Thickness of seams vary between 0.5m to 26.57m. Total reserve of coat upto 300m & upto 900m have been estimated at 152.20 & 2025.62 million tonne of grades C to G.

(iii) Khagra – Joydeb – Kenduli in P.S. Dubrajpur. Total 42.184 million tonnes of coal has been estimated in this area. E.C.L. is holding mining leases in 10 collieries having 1446.349 Hectes in Khairasole P.S. none of which is being worked though renewal application of all the said collieries have been submitted by E.C.L. Govt. is considering working of some of the aforesaid coal deposits through West Bengal Mineral Development & Trading Corporation Ltd. in near future.

Soil

The soil type (texture) of Birbhum as below

Water

          The Mayurakshi river among other flow through this district. Tilpara barrage on Mayurakshi maintain 7,500 acre feet water level through out season. As many as 6 main and 4 branch canals measuring 11,802 chain on Mayurakshi Canal System runs through 15 Blocks of this District. Besides the entire district has good surface water potentiality other major source of water is underground water.

          Birbhum district with an area of 4,550.94 Sq Km has shown the development of diverse Rock type ranging from oldest Archaean to Recent Alluvium. The western part of the District is of hard rock formations and central and eastern part is of alluvial formations. Out of 19 blocks in the district; the stage of development in 8 blocks is between 10 to 20% in 6 blocks the stage is less than 10%. Only in one block the stage has exceeded 40% and in 4 blocks the development stage falls between 20% to 40%. Therefore; it is clear that there is immense scope of development for groundwater in the district. Average depth of water level of last ten years shown that during summer ranges between 4 to 11 meters below ground level.

          Hydrogeological Survey in the district have shown that; with the selection of suitable Groundwater structure and optimum withdrawal of groundwater through them can bring about the development of groundwater in the district to the desired level. 

Land Use

          Total geographical area is 4545 sq km.

[Home] [Previous] [Next]