Minerals

Kerala is endowed with a number of deposits such as heavy mineral sand, china clay, iron ore, graphite, bauxite, silica sand, lignite, lime shell, granite etc. However mining activities on large scale are confined mainly to a few minerals such as heavy mineral sand, china clay, silica sand, limestone and graphite. Heavy mineral sand and china clay contribute more than 90 per cent of the total value of mineral production in the State.

The Department of Mining & Geology has taken up investigation programmes of urgent nature for the benefit of the mineral based industries in the State and for the general public as per the directions of the Government from time to time. Based on the results of the reconnaissance and preliminary geological surveys including pitting and trenching, the Department takes up detailed exploration such as drilling, sampling and preparation of contour map after conducting contour survey samples collected during the investigation, are being analysed in the laboratories which include china clay, silica sand, graphite, bauxite, limestone, lime shell, stream sediments rock samples etc.

Investigation for China clay had been conducted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kasaragod districts during 2006-07. The Department had prepared a database on 1193 minor mineral quarries and 102 crusher units through a survey covering 104 villages in Kollam, Kottarakara, Pathanapuram, Karunagapally and Kunnathoor taluks of Kollam district and Thiruvananthapuram, Neyyattinkara and Nedumangad taluks of Thiruvananthapuram district.Assessment of availability of river sand in Kulathupuzha River was done during 2006-07. During the year 2006-07 the Department collected revenue of Rs.2646.83 lakh.

Revenue Collection of Mining & Geology Department (2006-2007)


Name of Office
Revenue Collection (Rs. lakh)
Major Mineral
Minor Mineral

Total
Thiruvananthapuram
106.28
184.07
290.35
Kollam
202.28
239.60
441.88
Pathanamthitta
-
120.19
120.19
Kottayam
20.66
104.57
125.23
Idukki
-
72.71
72.71
Alappuzha
24.55
25.48
50.03
Ernakulam
0.13
147.81
147.94
Thrissur
-
232.15
232.15
Malappuram
-
232.41
232.41
Palakkad
232.69
183.16
415.85
Kozhikode
-
164.85
164.85
Kasaragod
12.49
86.52
99.01
Wayanad
0.24
40.68
40.92
Special Office Cherthala
27.21
4.20
31.41
Kannur
13.14
104.57
117.71
Kerala Mineral Squad (NR)
-
14.06
14.06
Kerala Mineral Squad (SR)
0.25
21.85
22.10
Directorate
14.33
13.70
28.03
Total
654.25
1992.58
2646.83

The Department implements the provision of the Mines and Minerals Act 1957 and the Rules. Mineral concessions for miner minerals are sanctioned as per the Kerala Concessions Rules 1967. The various mineral concessions in force as on 31.3.2007 are: Prospecting Licenses-Major Minerals(15) and Minor Minerals(15); Mining Lease-Major Minerals (83); Reconnaissance permit-Major Minerals(1) and Minor Minerals(771); Quarrying Permit-Minor Minerals (2917); Quarrying Lease-Minor Minerals (361) and Registered Metal Crusher- Minor Minerals (83).

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Source: Economic Review 2007