Minerals | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

About Minerals And Energy Deposits of State

• Bihar, primarily composed of Gangetic Plains, relies heavily on agriculture for its economy. Prior to its bifurcation in 2000, Bihar was a major producer of minerals. After the division, most of the mineral-rich deposits were transferred to Jharkhand, leaving Bihar with limited mineral resources and an underdeveloped mining and quarrying sector.
• Bihar is a significant producer of pyrite, accounting for 94% of India's total production. The southern and southeastern regions of the state are home to Archean rocks, which contain metallic minerals like gold and bauxite. The districts of Jamui, Nawada, Munger, Banka, Bhagalpur, and Gaya feature these Archean rocks.
• Additionally, the Vindhyan rock group in southwestern Bihar contains non-metallic minerals such as slate, quartz, pyrite, mica, and china clay. The Vindhyan rocks are present in Aurangabad, Nawada, Jamui, and Rohtas districts.

Major Minerals in Bihar

The development and industrialization of a state are significantly influenced by its mineral resources.
Here’s an overview of the principal minerals found in Bihar:

Gas and Mineral Oil in Bihar

Mineral oil and gas resources are present in the Katihar and Purnea districts of north-western Bihar.
Here are the mineral-based industries in Bihar:

Energy Resources of Bihar

Bihar consumes 327.7 kWh of electricity per person, significantly less than India's average of 1030.25 kWh, and consistently faces power shortages. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality power is essential for economic development, job creation, poverty reduction, and overall societal advancement.
Established in April 1958 under the Electricity Supply Act, the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) was reorganized in November 2012 into several entities as part of the Bihar State Electricity Reforms Transfer Scheme 2012:

• Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL): This is the parent company of the four newly formed entities—BSPGCL, BSPTCL, NBPDCL, and SBPDCL. BSPHCL manages investments, resolves conflicts, and provides support to these companies.
• Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL): Responsible for coordinating power production, acquiring and transporting fuel, and addressing issues related to power generation.
• Bihar State Power Transmission Company Limited (BSPTCL): Focuses on transmitting electricity across the state and developing an effective intra-state transmission network linking load centers with generating units.
• North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL): These companies handle power distribution to consumers and implement rural electrification programs.

Thermal Power Stations in Bihar

Coal is the primary energy source for thermal power, and Bihar hosts several significant thermal power plants:

• Barauni Thermal Power Station (BTPS): Located in Barauni, Begusarai district, this plant was established with Russian assistance and began operations in 1962. It sources fuel from the Barauni Oil Refinery. On May 15, 2018, the Bihar Government signed an MoU to transfer the station to the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
• Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL): Situated in Kanti block, Muzaffarpur district, this plant was set up in 1985 and uses coal from Jharkhand’s mines. It serves Northern Bihar and has two units, each with a capacity of 110 MW. It was also handed over to NTPC on May 15, 2018.
• Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Station: Commissioned in 1979 and operational since 1992, this station receives coal from Jharkhand and has a total installed capacity of 2340 MW.
• Buxar Thermal Power Project: An agreement for this project, which includes two Greenfield units of 660 MW each (totaling 1320 MW), was signed with Saluj Hydroelectric Corporation in November 2015.
• Patna Thermal Power Plant: Located in Karbigahiya, Patna district, this small, older plant is managed by the Bihar Rajya Vidyut Parishad.
• Barh Super Thermal Power Station: Located in Barh, Patna district, this plant was commissioned in October 2013 and began commercial operations in November 2014. Developed and owned by NTPC, it has an installed capacity of 3300 MW.

New Thermal Projects

Here are details about additional thermal power projects in Bihar:

• Nabinagar Stage-1 Thermal Power Project: Located in Aurangabad district, this project commenced production in 2018. It has a generation capacity of 1980 MW (660 MW per unit). On May 15, 2018, the plant was transferred to NTPC under a 33-year lease.
• Ultra Mega Power Project (Banka): This proposed thermal power plant aims to have an installed capacity of 4000 MW.
• Kajara Power Plant: Scheduled to be constructed by NTPC, this plant will be located in Lakhisarai.
• Pirpainti Power Plant: This project will be developed by NHPC and is planned for Bhagalpur.

Hydro Power Projects in Bihar

Here are some of the hydropower projects in Bihar:

• Arwal Hydroelectric Project: Located in the Arwal district, it was commissioned in 2011-12.
• Belsar Hydroelectric Project: Also in the Arwal district, it was commissioned in 2011-12.
• Shirkhinda Hydroelectric Project: Situated in Rohtas district, it was commissioned in 2009-10.
• Sebari Hydroelectric Project: Found in Rohtas district, it was commissioned in 2008-09.

To foster renewable energy development, the Bihar government established the Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA). The state has an untapped renewable energy potential exceeding 12.559 GW. Investments are being sought to develop this sector, aiming to provide approximately 3433 MW of clean energy. This includes 220 MW from small hydroelectric power, 244 MW from biomass, and 2969 MW from solar energy.