Mines Minerals

Rajasthan enjoys a virtual monopoly in the production of minerals like wollastonite, lead, zinc, calcite, gypsum, rock phosphate, silver, marble, sandstone and serpentine (green marble).

There are approximately 3,359 mining leases for major minerals and 12,220 minor leases and 18,004 quarry licenses in the State. With Rajasthan Mineral Policy, 2011 and simplification of procedures, the sector is now even more attractive for investment.

Western Rajasthan has proven large deposits of hydrocarbons and Barmer has estimated reserves of 7.3 million barrels (900 million tonnes of crude oil equivalent). Production of Crude Oil in Rajasthan commenced in the year 2009.

25-30 billion cubic metre natural gas reserves have been discovered in ManoharTiba, Tanot, Dandewala and Shahgarh in Jaisalmer basin. Additionally, 25 million tonnes heavy oil reserves and 53 MT bitumen have been discovered in Bikaner-Nagaur Basin.

Scope for Industrial Development in the Barmer region of Rajasthan includes:

• Petrochemicals based industries such as Polypropylene, Polyethylene, etc.
• Downstream ancillary industries such as automotive parts, films, pipes, packaged liquid products, tires and mplastic materials, etc.
• Petro-engineering units such as manufacturing of fasteners, pipe fittings, electrical materials etc.
• Support Industries such as workshops, fabrication shops, units for and support institutions like training & development, trading & export, promotion/exhibition centers etc.
• Development of new Industrial Areas after Green Zone in radius of Refinery cum Petrochemical Complex.

Scope of setting up of mineral based industries
Considering the availability of Minerals in the State, there is tremendous scope for setting up of new mineral based industries. Various minerals mined in Rajasthan are being sent to other states in raw form. The state is therefore, deprived of the value addition in minerals as well as employment avenues to rural and backward classes. The state government is focusing on encouraging the establishment of mineral based industries in the State. Some of industries that would be ideal are: