Limestone and Cement Plant Potential in Chhattisgarh, India
26042020
- Rajesh Deoliya
The state of Chhattisgarh
occupies about 5 percent of the total limestone of India which is about 9627
million tonnes; of which about 1177 million tonnes falls in proved and probable
category. (source: https://ibm.gov.in/writereaddata/files/11272019155954LIMESTONE
_OTHER_CALCAREOUS_2018.pdf). Further information
can also be obtained from Department of Mines and Geology, Govt of Chhattisgarh
(http://chhattisgarhmines.gov.in
)
The major part of this
proved and probable grade limestone is reported from various localities of
Raipur district (Mandhar, Siliyari, Tilda), Baloda Bazaar ( Sonadih, Rwan,
Hirmi, Karhi-Chandi, Parsabhader, Kukurdi, Maldi Mopar, Parsabhader etc), Durg
( Jamul, Nandini), Bilaspur ( Chilhati) and Janjgir (Akaltara, Arasmeta). Geologically, The limestone belongs to
Chhattisgarh Super Group. The limestone is hard and compact,
generally it does not show clear bedding due to its colloidal nature of
deposition. It occurs below the overburden of low grade limestone, weathered Red
color clay / laterite of 2-5 meters thickness. The soil cover is about 0.50
meter to 1 meter. The depth of limestone varies from 2 meters to 60 meters. The
general thickness of limestone can be attributed to about 30 meters. The limestone
sometimes have two bands of considerable thickness; separated by low grade
limestone band. Almost, all major limestone mines are large mines having annual
limestone production of more than 5 million tonnes per annum. Nowadays, the mining lease of limestone is
granted through bidding process, the bids are invited by Department of Mines
and Geology, Government of Chhattisgarh time to time in accordance with the
provisions of MMDR-2015 and Mineral (Auction) Rule, 2015. To obtain mining
lease the bidders should offer highest price bid and deposit indicated upfront
amount and performance security. After
the enactment of The Mineral (Auction) Rule, 2015 four mining leases of
limestone have been auctioned successfully. The details of these mining leases are
given below:
Name of Mine Block
|
Area
(Hec-tare)
|
Limestone
Reserve (Million
Tonne)
|
Bidding Date
|
Reserve Price
(of the value of mineral dispatched)
|
Highest Bid offered
(of the value of mineral dispatched)
|
Winner
|
Karhi- Chandi, district Baloda
Bazar-Bhatapara
|
242
|
155
|
18.02.2016
|
5 %
|
58.95
|
Shree Cement
|
Kesla, district
Rajpur
|
108
|
67
|
19.02.2016
|
5 %
|
10.15
|
Century Cement
|
Kesla- II, Raipur
|
357
|
215
|
01.05.2017
|
5%
|
95.15
|
Dalmia ( Bharat)
Cement
|
Guma, Baloda Bazar-
Bhatapara
|
249
|
124
|
12.03.2018
|
NA
|
138.25
|
UltraTech Cement
|
The
increasing highest price offer in bidding shows that bidding process for grant
of mining lease received good response from bidders, it is an indication of confidence
of bidders in setting up of cement plants in the state.
Cement
Plants:
There
are 13 cement plants in the state; majority of them are located in Baloda Bazar
district. The list of cement plants operating in Chhattisgarh state can be seen
on website of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (https://eaindustry.nic.in/cement/report4.asp).
Few more cement plants are likely to come up due to grant of mining leases
through auction process. The cement grade limestone averaging CaO (44 %) MgO ( 3.0%),
SiO2 (12 %) coupled with vast geographical coverage; best quality
infrastructure and investor friendly government policies make limestone worth
mineable and value addition.
Market:
The
cement and clinker produced in Chhattisgarh receives good response in eastern
region in West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha also as they are not blessed with good quality
limestone deposits.. The surplus electricity, nearness to coal mines, easy
availability of raw material like Fly Ash, various types of Gypsum, laterite,
iron ore, bauxite, plenty of skilled, unskilled and trained manpower makes the
state a good destination for cement manufacturing.
Energy:
The
Chhattisgarh state has about 20300 MW installed capacity of thermal power
plants for electricity generation; out of which 3280 MW, 6080 MW and 10948 MW
is contributed by Chhattisgarh State Power Generating Company Ltd, National
Thermal Power Corporation and Private Sector respectively. These thermal power
plants are located in Korba, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Janjgir, Baloda Bazar, Raipur
and Durg district. The location of power plant and their capacity of power
generation is niche for cement plants. These power plants are also the source
of Fly Ash to the cement companies.
Water:
The
Chhattisgarh state has good riverine network associated with canal systems. The
Indravati, Mahanadi,Shivnath are major river. The ground water potential of the
state is also good. The Central Ground Water Board, which monitors the ground
water of the state has not kept any of the area of state in "Notified
Category". In notified category areas; abstraction of ground water is not
permitted. Hence, in Non-Notified area for use of ground water " No
Objection" from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is required. The annual precipitation of
rain being more than 1000 mm per year helps Rain Water Harvesting practices
successful to help industries in meeting the water requirement. Almost all the
mining lease areas has converted mine pits into Rain Water Harvesting Pit for
sustainable mining.
The
depletion of good limestone deposits intensive scouting for new limestone
deposits is need of the hour. Initiative from state government to preserve
potential areas for mining is required, otherwise urbanization will possess
potential limestone area to make them unavailable for mining as happened in the
limestone deposit of Mandhar (Raipur district).
****
Rajesh
Deoliya
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Comments
Please shere bid process for mineral auction.
Please do not forget to write your name as blogger sometimes do not show the names.
Thanks for your valuable comments. I will Try to provide more informative contents in future too.
Please do not forget to write your name as blogger sometimes do not show the names.
Sure, I will provide some insight on the bidding process in near future too.
I will Try to provide more informative contents in future too.
Please do not forget to write your name as blogger sometimes do not show the names.
One important aspect.... Employment generation must include.....