Reassess existing mineral reserves, say experts

The earlier assessments of mineral reserve are outdated and there is a need to re-explore the existing mines to know the actual amount of minerals they contain, said experts at a recently held seminar organised by Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT), at Barbil, in Keonjhar district.

“The previous mineral assessment was done decades ago with traditional techniques. Now the time has come for re-assessment of mineral deposits in those mines with the use of latest technology,” said B K Mohanty, advisor and principle co-ordinator of SGAT.

Using space technology such as remote sensing and with the help of latest equipment, the geoscientists can explore deeper in a particular mine, which was not possible a few decades ago, he added.

The call for re-assessment of existing mines has been given on the back of rising global and local demand for metals amid fast depleting natural resource reserves, said Mohanty, who was also the director of mines with the Orissa government.

Besides, the government’s intention to use low grade iron ore in steel making to tackle ballooning steel demand was another reason to go for re-assessment of the existing reserves, he added.

As a policy measure, the Government of India has lowered the cut-off limit of Fe content in iron ore from 55 per cent to 45 per cent to increase the availability of the mineral.

Orissa has proven iron ore reserve of 1,529 million tonnes, accounting for a third of total Indian iron ore reserve. Orissa iron ore contains mostly 62 to 68 per cent iron, regarded as high grade ores.

“Using ore with 45 per cent Fe content may not be feasible, but ore with 55 per cent Fe content can be used for the steel making,” commented Mohanty.

The revised Central government guideline for timely completion of mine exploitation can only be complied by using the state-of-the-art mining technologies, opined S Kuchroo, chief of Noamundi mines, Tata Steels.

“The companies should invest in enterprise resource planning (ERP) project for smooth operation. Besides, they should invest in latest technology to raise the mineral production. With the use of latest technologies, I am sure, we can find low grade iron ore buried below existing mines,” he said at the seminar.

For sustainability of individual mines and to lower negative impact on environment, the state government has constituted a committee to curb mineral production.