Gujarat: Minerals | Gujarat State PSC (GPSC) Preparation: All subjects - GPSC (Gujarat) PDF Download

Mineral Resources of Gujarat

• Rich in Petroleum: Gujarat is abundant in mineral resources, with petroleum being a significant asset.
• Major Mineral Resources: The state has deposits of natural gas, limestone, manganese, bauxite, china-clay, fire-clay, calcite, dolomite, fluorspar, gypsum, bentonite, quartz, silica sand, and steatite.
• Limestone: High-quality limestone is quarried in various parts of Saurashtra, Lakhpat, Kheda, and Banaskantha districts.
• Manganese Ore: Manganese ore is mined in the Panch Mahal district.
• Bauxite: Bauxite mining occurs in Junagarh, Jamnagar, and Kachchh, with additional production in Kheda district.
• Fluorspar: High-grade fluorspar is found in Vadodara district, with significant deposits also in Ahmedabad.
• Calcite: Calcite deposits are present in the districts of Amreli, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, and Jamnagar.
• Lignite: Lignite is found in the Pandhro and Akiromto areas of Kachchh. The Gujarat Minerals Development Corporation has initiated lignite mining at Panadhro.
• Fire Clay: Fire clay is available in Bhavnagar, Junagarh, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, and Surendranagar.
• China-Clay: Deposits of china-clay are found in Mahesana and Sabarkantha.
• Bentonite: Bentonite deposits are located in Bhavnagar and Kachchh.
• Steatite: Steatite is mined in Bhavnagar.
• Salt Production: Gujarat is the leading salt producer in India, contributing over half of the country's total salt production.
• Mineral Oil: Gujarat is rich in mineral oil, found in areas such as Ankleshwar, Khambhat, and Kalol. The first oil strike in the state was near the village of Lunez. Oil is also found in Nawgam, Sanand Kadi, Aliabet, Gandhar, and Badswer. The Khambhat gas field produces approximately 5 lakh cubic meters of gas per day.
• Petrochemical Industry: Due to the abundance of raw materials, transport and communication facilities, cheap electricity, capital, labor, state support, proximity to the sea, and a large market, petrochemical industries have developed in Gujarat. Key locations for these industries include Jawaharnagar, Dwarka, Kayali, Sevilia, Sikka, and Digvijay.

Mineral Production 

• Provisional Mineral Production Estimates for 2015-16:
  • Limestone: 32,111 thousand tonnes
  • Bauxite: 17,331 thousand tonnes
  • Lignite: 10,907 thousand tonnes
  • Clay (Others): 7,619 thousand tonnes
  • China Clay (Crude & Refined): 5,583 thousand tonnes
  • Bentonite: 2,676 thousand tonnes
  • Ball Clay: 430,240 tonnes
  • Manganese Ore: 46,136 tonnes
  • Ochre: 45,000 tonnes
  • Petroleum (Crude): 4,460 thousand tonnes
  • Natural Gas (Utilised): 1,403 million cubic metres
• Geology and Mineral Regulation in Gujarat:
  • The geology of Gujarat is diverse, with rock formations ranging from the oldest Precambrian era to dinosaur-bearing Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, as well as lignite, oil, and natural gas-bearing tertiary and quaternary rocks.
  • Mineral exploitation in the state is governed by the Mines & Mineral (Regulation & Development) Act of 1957.
  • The granting of Mining Leases, Prospecting Licences, and Reconnaissance Permits is regulated under the Mineral Concession Rules of 1960.
  • While the Central Government sets policies for major minerals, minor minerals, such as those used in construction, fall under the jurisdiction of the State Government.