Distribution of Rocks and
Minerals
The
mountains surrounding the different valleys of the State of Jammu and Kashmir
have varied mineral wealth. The first survey of minerals wealth in the State was
made by a renowned geologist. Mr. Middlemiss in 1924 in collaboration with the
Government of Jammu and Kashmir, but an intensive mineral survey was taken up in
the year 1956 when systematic investigation began, as a consequence of which
mineral exploitation in the State was organised and developed.
1. Lignite. It is
an inferior quality of coal which is found in the valley of Kashmir at Nichahama,
Baramulla, Handwara, Chowkibal, Ferozepur nullah, Nagbal, Tangmarg, Raithan,
Badgam tehsil, Laligang and Lolab valley. Lignite is a blackbrown coal that is
intermediate in coalification between peat and sub-bituminous coal which has a
calorific value less than 8300BTU/lb, on a moist mineral free basis. According
to the report of the Geological Survey of India, there are lignite coal deposits
of about 5 crore 60 lakh tons in the valley. Drilling operations were started
first in the Nicahhom- Chowkibal area where the reserves were estimated at 4. 5
million tons to a depth of 40 metres. Lignite is used as a fuel in the valley of
Kashmir.
2. Limestone. All
the three regions of the State i.e. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have deposits of
different ages and grades of Limestone. The Limestone of Kashmir is of high
quality and is used in the manufacture of cement at Wuyan and Khrew. These
deposits exist in Anantnag, Achhabal, Doru, Verinag, Biru, Sonamarg, Ajas, Wuyau,
Khrew and Loduv. It is also used as building stone and mortar.
3. Copper ores are
found at Aishmuqam, Shubbar area (Anantnag), Lashtil hill spurs (Baramulla),
Handwara, Sumbal, Kangan andLolab valley in the province of Kashmir.
4. Iron-ore
deposits occur in Sharda (Karnah tehsil), Khrewa, Haral (Handwara), Uri tehsil,
Garez (Sopore tehsil) and Lolab valley in Kashmir.
5. Gypsum. It is
used for making plaster of paris and chalksticks. The Kashmir province has
gypsum deposits at Lachhipora, Baramulla, Anantnag, Liddipora and Kathia Nullah
(Uri). There is total reserve of about 4 million tons of gypsum in the State.
6. Ochre. It is
used in paints and varnishes etc. There are extensive deposits of ochre in Nur
Khawn, Ratasar and Jhaggi in the Uri tehsil. About 4 lak tons of ochre have been
found in the State so far.
7. Zinc and
Nickelarfound at Buniyar (Baramulla).
8. Fuller's Earth
is used in the manufacture of country soap and for filling paper. It is found in
Rampur near Baramulla
9. Slate Stone is
found in abundance in the valley of Kashmir.
10. Graphite is
used in the manufacture of lead pencils and is found in Bararipora, Uri, Karnah,
Malogam, Piran in the province of Kashmir
11. Sulphur is
found in Pagga valley in Ladakh. In spring water, it is found at Anantnag and
Khrewa. The estimated deposits of sulphur in the State are 2,00,000 tons.
12. Marble. Large
deposits of marble have been found at Drugmalla, Zirahama, Oura and Trehgam in
Kupwara district of Kashmir. This is light brown to dirty grey in colour. This
is being used commonly in buildings these days.
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