'60% mineral bearing area in J&K viable for commercial mining'

Around 60 per cent of the total 13,334 sq km of mineral bearing area in Jammu and Kashmir is commercially viable for mining, according to the state government.
"About 13,334 sq km of area of the state is mineral bearing area and 60 per cent of the deposits are commercially viable for mining in Jammu and Kashmir," Director, Geology and Mining Department, Farooq Ahmad Khan said.
The department is envisaging exploration of mineral resources and ground water in the state, Khan added.
Speaking at a meeting of the department, he informed that a revenue of Rs 3,013 lakh was realised by the department for the year 2014-15 and Rs 2,065 lakh has been realised till October this fiscal from both minor as well as major minerals from Jammu division.