The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has intensified exploration of rare earth minerals such as platinum, gold and tungsten, said A Sundaramoorthy, Director General of GSI, here on Wednesday.
Noting that there was a shortage of fertiliser minerals and geo-thermal energy sources, he said GSI was developing technologies to extract deep-seated metal deposits.
“GSI has launched a national programme of geo-chemical and geo-physical mapping of the country’s terrain. A survey to develop a 3D model of ore deposits in the country is also under progress. About 25 per cent of the country’s geo-morphology has been mapped, which is of importance in the exploration of diamonds,” he said, speaking at the 13th convention of Mineralogical Society of India at the Department of Studies in Earth Sciences, University of Mysore. Machinery worth Rs 25 crore was recently added to the GSI’s laboratory, to modernise it to international standards.
“The GSI has added 1,200 geologists in the last three years and will add 600 more in the next two years for research,” he said. The GSI has also added 12 training centres to equip personnel with the skills required for mineral exploration.
Nodal agency
A Geo-hazard Institute will be set up in New Delhi to conduct studies on earthquakes, floods, landslides and other disasters. The institute will replace the GSI as the nodal agency for such studies in the country, said Sundaramoorthy.
HGML expertise for Rwanda
Rwanda, an African nation with rich golden ore deposits, has sought Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited’s (HGML) expertise in mining the ore. HGML MD A K Monnappa said that the proposed subsidiary for HGML, ‘HGML Videsh’, after approved by the Cabinet, would start overseas exploration. He said the formation of ‘HGML Videsh’ would provide more freedom and opportunities for the 65-year-old enterprise to manage its operations. The company was looking at possible deposits in other parts of the country to meet the rising demand. “HGML produces two tonnes to three tonnes of gold annually, while the demand in the country is 1,000 tonnes,” he said.