An important decision has been taken towards giving a new identity to the mineral wealth of Chhattisgarh. In the meeting of the Board of Directors of NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL) held in New Delhi, it was decided to start large diameter drilling by approving the next phase of the project in Baloda-Belmundi diamond block of Mahasamund district. This step is being considered as the most important step towards scientifically assessing the actual reserves of diamonds in this area and paving the way for commercial diamond mining in the future.
In the meeting, the Board of Directors made a detailed review of the progress of the project so far. Instructions were given that all technical work should be completed in a time bound manner within the period of prospecting license. Large diameter drilling will allow accurate assessment of the diamond reserves present in the kimberlite pipe. After this, a detailed report (Feasibility Report) will be prepared, on the basis of which the final decision to develop a commercial diamond mine will be taken.
Amitabh Mukherjee, Ashish Chatterjee, Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Chairman Saurabh Singh, Mineral Department Secretary P. Dayanand, Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Managing Directors Rajat Bansal, Upendra Kumar and Vinay Kumar were present in the meeting of the Board of Directors of NCL.
NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL) is a joint venture between NMDC Limited (51 percent), a Government of India undertaking, and Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (49 percent). The company has so far focused on iron ore projects, but after the confirmation of natural diamonds in Baloda-Belmundi, it is moving rapidly towards multi-mineral development.
The kimberlite pipe was identified by NCL through stream sediment sampling, geophysical survey and targeted drilling. After this, about 200 tonnes of bulk sample was tested at NMDC's Panna Diamond Processing Plant, where five natural diamonds weighing 1.22 carats were obtained. With this, the diamond-rich geological structure in this area has been scientifically confirmed.
The experiences of major diamond producing countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Canada and Australia show that this type of success in the initial phase may be an indication of the discovery of larger commercial reserves in the future. Therefore, Baloda-Belmundi project is being considered an important mineral project not only for Chhattisgarh but also for the country.
Other major iron ore projects of the state were also reviewed in the meeting. The target of production in Bailadila Deposit-4 during the current financial year is 10 lakh tonnes, which will be increased to 70 lakh tonnes per annum in a phased manner. At the same time, work is also going on to develop Bailadila Deposit-13 with an annual capacity of one crore tonnes.
It was also reiterated in the meeting that environmental protection, scientific mining, water conservation, waste management and socio-economic development of local communities will be given top priority in all projects.
