Gold Reserves in India Estimated at 501.83 MT

As per the data of the National Mineral Inventory, the total reserves/resources of gold ore (primary) in India have been estimated at 501.83 million tonnes (MT) as of April 1, 2015.

Gold Ore Reserve Distribution:

• The remaining 2 percent of gold ore reserves are located in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

Key Points:

i.Geological Survey of India (GSI) is engaged in geological mapping and mineral exploration (survey) of various mineral commodities including gold to explore the mineral-rich zones.

ii.To increase the mineral resource, GSI will take up mineral exploration projects in various parts of India every year (as per the approved annual Field Season Program).

iii.Recently, the Government of India has amended the Minerals Evidence of Mineral Contents Rules (MEMC) Rules to allow auction of composite licence at G4 level for deep-seated minerals including Gold, and to reduce the cost of gold extraction.

Coal Receipt in FY21: 

i.As per the Central Electricity Authority data, the total coal receipt to the thermal power stations in FY21 was 596.015 MT, in which 75 percent of coal (444.97 MT) was supplied by Coal India Ltd (CIL).

ii.To evacuate coal with minimum impact on the environment, CIL has increased rail portfolio as a preferred mode of transport.

iii.Around 80 percent of the coal gets transported through the non-road mode. In FY21, 325 MT of coal was transported through rail modes and 131 MT was transported through road to reduce the impact on air quality.

Note – These data are provided by the Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi.

Recent Related News:

On April 23, 2021, Coal India Limited(CIL) has signed its first solar power purchase agreement for the sale of 100 MW solar

About Ministry of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs:

Union Minister – Pralhad Joshi (Constituency – Dharwad, Karnataka)
Minister of State – Danve Raosaheb Dadarao (Constituency – Jalna, Maharashtra)