New Delhi (NVI): The government of Rajasthan has signed a tripartite agreement for taking up feasibility study of Potash mining in the Nagaur-Ganganagar area of the state, the Ministry of Mines said today.
The MoU was signed between Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL), Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals Limited (RSMML) and the Department of Mines & Geology (DMG), Goverment of Rajasthan, the Ministry said in a statement.
It was signed virtually in the presence of Union Minister for Coal and Mines Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot.
During the meeting, Joshi said, “MoU will pave the way to undertake feasibility studies for harnessing sub-surface salt deposits through solution mining, utilise Rajasthan’s rich mineral reserves, boost its economy and establish it as a hub of solution mining of potash, the 1st in the country.”
According to the Ministry of Mines, Rajasthan has huge potash and halite resources spread across 50,000 sq. kms in the Nagaur – Ganganagar basin in the northwest.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and MECL have established 2476.58 million tonnes and 21199.38 million tonnes of Potash and Halite respectively in the countrty.
Moreover, the bedded salt formations are strategically useful for underground oil storage, repositories for hydrogen, ammonia and helium gas, storage of compresses gas and nuclear waste, the statement said.
“Potash & Sodium Chloride from the bedded salt are extensively used in the Fertiliser Industry and the Chemical Industry respectively,” it added.
MECL has been assigned as the program manager for taking up the feasibility study in the state with the help of an international consultant.
“Paving the way for the 1st Solution Mining project in the country, this project will generate employment in the country.” It will also support the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by way of generating import substitution by boosting the domestic mineral production of Potash and associated minerals, the ministry further said.
-RJV/ARK
