The Geological Survey of India  (GSI) has taken up exploration work for Kimberlite clan rocks in Mahasamund, Baloda Bazar and Janjgir-Champa districts of  Chhattisgarh.

The Kimberlite clan rocks are sources of diamonds.

State-wise and investigation programme had been taken up by GSI for Kimberlite clan rocks during the XIIth Plan period, officials stated.

Notably, Deobhog region of insurgency-infested Gariaband district had been found to be rich source of Kimberlite rocks.

Meanwhile, the GSI will be taking up exploration of limestone deposits in Kharri-Parsadih block of  Raigarh district of  Chhattisgarh.

It has also decided to outsource drilling work for exploration of limestone in Kharri-Parsadih block, officials stated.

It may be recalled that GSI will also be making an assessment of bauxite ore deposits existing in Damchun block of Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh.

limestone and dolomite deposits are  located in Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Kabirdham, Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon districts forming part of Chhattisgarh basin and in Jagdalpur district within Indravati basin and in Dantewada district in Sukma basin, according to the officials of Chhattisgarh Mining Department .

Notably, the Chhattisgarh Government has targetted to carry out survey and mapping for 1,000 square kms of State’s area during 2015-16 for geological exploration during the 12th five year plan ( 2012-17).

The minerals to be explored as bauxite, limestone, iron ore, coal, dolomite, manganese and granite, officials stated.

The Chhattisgarh Directorate of Geology & Mining is the State agency engaged in exploration of mineral resources as well as minerals development and regulation work in Chhattisgarh.

The Directorate has the facility of remote sensing, cartography, survey, drilling and petrological techniques for geological investigations supported by the chemical laboratory (conventional and instrumental techniques of analyses) to assess the mineral resources. The mineral exploration works are being carried out through three Regional Offices, Raipur, Bilaspur and Jagdalpur, officials stated.

The grant of mineral concession, collection of revenue and regulation of mineral concessions are being carried out through District Offices under the control of Collector, district concerned.

The Directorate also provides technical and legal advice, related with grant and regulation of mineral concession to the State Government.

Explorations had been promised for Bauxite in Dandkesra and Murdadand area of Surguja and Darai and Bhuski-Pakri/Pandripani area of Kabirdham districts (two areas) , Iron ore in notified areas of Kanker and Narayanpur districts and Pavaras and Kachhora area of Bastar district.

Moreover, explorations are being proposed for limestone in Raipur, Rajnandgaon,Janjgir-Champa and Dantewada districts, Manganese in Raipur district, Dolomite in Janjgir-Champa district, Granite in Kanker, Bastar and Narayanpur districts, Coal in Saidu area and West of Mainpat Plateau of Surguja district.