High time for J&K admin to focus mineral industry to boost economy

While the Jammu and Kashmir Administration day-in-day-out is flourishing the tourism, health and industrial sectors to bring the economy back on track, it is high time for the authorities to focus on mineral treasure in parts of the Union Territory.

Jammu and Kashmir besides picturesque tourist destinations is blessed to have rich potential in the mineral sector that can be exposed as much to add on surplus to the state exchequer.

The Union Territory caters to as many as 72 main mineral based registered and established units.

“There is a wide scope of Mineral Resources in Jammu and Kashmir and the important minerals are being extracted from various districts like Limestone, Gypsum, Dolomite, Quartzite, building stones like Slate, Marble and Granite,” official sources said.

They said that apart from being an all season tourist destination, Jammu and Kashmir has tremendous natural mineral reserves, adding, “in total, Jammu and Kashmir have 110 major and minor mineral based units, which are registered and out of these 72 are in Jammu Province and 38 in Kashmir Province.

“The department no doubt has contributed in Government exchequer by providing huge revenue of the Major as well as Minor Mineral wealth of J&K but still, a lot is needed to be done to make this treasure exposed and for that matter special focus is must,” they said.

However, the import of minerals on larger scale by its promotion across the country can add millions to state exchequer, adding they said, “as the government hold road shows to attract tourists from parts of the country, simultaneously, the business sector and other agencies dealing in minerals, can be invited for promotion of our treasure.”

Sharing details an official said that in Jammu Province, 37 units are manufacturing cement including 13 in Jammu District, 15 in Kathua, nine in Udhampur and 22 units are manufacturing Plaster of Paris comprising 15 in Jammu, one in Kathua, five in Udhampur and one in Poonch.

They further said that Lime Kiln units in Jammu are six comprising four registered in Jammu, one each in Kathua and Udhampur while marble processing units are only one in Jammu while six Calcium carbide units are also established and all are in Jammu district.

“Geology and Mining Department has played a vital role in overall economical development of Jammu and Kashmir by providing various mineral deposits having enabled the Government in granting of various Mining Leases and Prospecting Licenses,” said an official and also claiming that the government must give special attention to this sector for its further encouragement.

In Kashmir Province as well, there are 11 Portland cement units and two in Ladakh region, whereas plaster of Paris manufacturing units are 10, Lime Kiln nine and marble processing units are six.

“Jammu and Kashmir has a lot of industrial potential and a lot of minerals based industries are also established across,” they said and added that 63 mines dealing with different forms of minerals are also granted on lease.”
Limestone is the highly produced mineral (6081 million tonnes) and is produced in all districts of Kashmir valley, in Leh and Kargil, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region, they said.

An official said that Gypsum is produced in Baramulla, Kathua, Ramban and Doda, Marble in Kupwara, Kargil and Leh, Granite in Kargil, Leh, Ganderbal. Baramulla, Poonch and Doda, Bauxite in Udhampur and Ramban, Coal in Udhampur, (Kalakote) Rajouri, Lignite in Nichome, Handwara, Kupwara, Magnesite in Udhampur, Slates in Poonch, Kathua, Doda and Baramulla, Quartzite in Anantnag, Baramulla and Kupwara, Borax in Pugwa valley, Leh, Dolomite in Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, China Clay in Doda and Udhampur and Graphite in Baramulla.
On Blue Sapphire, he said, “it is one of the precious stones and is world famous found in Paddar area of Kishtwar district” and added, “We have one leased mineralized zone in Paddar rich in blue sapphire.”

“The World Famous Blue Sapphire of Paddar outshines even diamond and is considered the best across the globe,” they said.

“The Sapphire is perceptible on account of its peacock neck bluish colour that provides it monopoly among other Sapphires of the world,” he added.

He said that the Sapphire mines are stretched along an area of 116 km and contain Sapphire worth Rs 700 crores.