GEOLOGY & MINERAL RESOURCES OF
JALORE DISTRICT
Jalore district situated in the south western part of Rajasthan was formed out of
the erstwhile Jodhpur state after independence. This district is situated between Latitude
24°37' & 25°49' and Longitude 71° 11' & 73 °05' and is bounded by Banner district in
NW, Sirohi district in SE, Pali district in NE and Banaskantha district of Gujarat state in
SW. The district covers an area of 10640 sq kms comprising five tehsils namely Jalore,
Ahore, Bhinmal, Sanchor and Raniwara.
National highway No.15 connecting Jaisalmer to Samakhiali (Gujrat) passes
through Sanchore in this district. Three state highways no.11, 16 and 31 pass through
district connecting the district head quarter Jalore with other important cities. Jalore is
418 Kms. from Jaipur. The northern railway metergauge branch line for Samdari Raniwara passes through the district connecting Jalore & Bhinmal. Jalore is 250 Kms.
from Udaipur.
Physiographically the district is oblong in shape extending up to Rann of Kutch
(Gujrat). The region is generally plain but for some scattered thickly wooded hills in the
north and some hillocks in the centre. The eastern portion of the district is rocky while
the western tract is a roughly plain dotted with Sand dunes & sand ridges. Luni is the
main river in the district, with other small rivers, Jawai, Kheri Bandi & Sagi. All the
rivers are seasonal.
Geology
Only 5 to 10% of the district reveals exposures of different rock types and the
remaining area is covered by a thick blanket of sand and alluvium. The metasedimentary
rocks such as phyllite, schists, marble and quartzite belonging to the Delhi Super Group
(1,400 to 1,650 million years old) occur only as inclusions within the dominant granites
and rhyolites. The pink Jalore granite occurring near Jalore town is the most common
type of granite in the district. The older grey Erinpura granite is rare. The Malani rhyolite
and the associated agglomerate, volcanic ash, felsite etc. occupy west of Roja Bhaker and
Lakawas and also in the, north eastern parts of the district. These rocks represent a large
scale ancient volcanic activity on the Indian sub continent and have been estimated as
about 745 million years old. Dykes and veins of dolerite, granite porphyry, applite etc..
also occur at places.
The rock types found in the district are given as below:
Recent to
sub recent
Sand, alluvium etc.
Malani rhyolite
Post-Delhi-
Jalor granite
Erinpura granite
Intrusives
and
extrusives.
Mineral Resources
The following are the rocks and mineral resources of Jalore district:
Fluorspar
Fluorspar is an important industrial mineral valued for its calcium fluorite (CaF2)
content, and is the only major source of fluorine. It is chiefly used in the manufacture of
hydrofluoric acid and other fluorine chemicals, as a flux in steel making and as an
opecifier and flux in the ceramic industry. Fluorspar is an essential raw material for
manufacture of aluminium fluoride (AlF3) and artificial cryolite (Na3 AlF6 ), which are
used as flux and electrolyte in the production of primary aluminium.
The state department of Mines & Geology has discovered a fairly large deposits
of fluorspar near village Karada of Tehsil Bhinmal, during the field season of 1974-75.
Fluorspar and Baryte-occurrences have been discovered for the first time in Malani
volcanic suit of rocks which were known to be barren so far.
Mineralisation occurs in an area of 21 sq. km. (confined in 17 small hillocks) in
Malani volcanics represented by agglomerates, rhyolites, trachytes and basalts, in the
form of massive to thin veins and stringers as fracture and joint filling. As a result of
detailed investigation (by trenching and pitting) done by the State Department of Mines
& Geology, the total reserves of fluorspar are estimated to be 0.173 million tonnes of
51.9% CaF2 grade out of which about 70,000 tonnes are 80-95% CaF2 content. Veins of
baryte and calcite also occur along with fluorite in Karada area. The area is leased out to
RSMDC. The main activities of mining are located at Krisna hill, Rekha hill & Santoshi
hills. The production during 98-99 was approx. 10 tonnes.
Granite
The granite rocks which have, rather become the economic assets of the district,
belong to the Malani System of rocks. The Siwana and Jalor granites provides rocks of
high fassinating colours ranging from flesh to pink and light colours. Pink and grey
granite capable of taking good polish is found in abundance in the district. Details of the
important areas of granite in Jalore & its quality is discreted in the table no.1. A granite
polishing factory for making polished slabs was set up by the Rajasthan Government at
Jalor which was transferred to R.S.M.D.C in 1970.
Beside R.S.M.D.C., there are number of areas and more than 153 leases of granite
in private sector.
List of Granite mines in Jalore District:
S.No
Near Village
No. of Mines
1.
Nabi
6
2.
Mahaliwas
8
3.
Bhetala
6
4.
Barlawas
4
5.
Dhavla
7
6.
Kalaghata
3
7.
Devda
1
8.
Safada
1
9.
Keshwana
4
10.
Pijopura
3
11.
Muri
5
12.
Birbalsar
4
13.
Ledermer
-
14.
Tavab
5
15.
Raniwara Khurd
8
16.
Lal Ji-Ki-Dungri
1
17.
Desu
1
18.
Ratanpura
2
19.
Khambi
16
20.
Kavala
19
21.
Tavab (A)
7
22.
Tavab (B)
19
23.
Kot Kasta
1
24.
Bala
10
25.
Borta
6
26.
Leta
1
27.
Namawas
1
28.
Nosra
1
Besides above, building stones and masonary stones, Bajri etc. have been
produced in the District for local use.
Clay
Clay occurrence has bee reported near village Bhadrajun about 48 Km. north east
of Jalore town. Another occurrence of clay deposit is reported at Pal.
Bhadrajun clay is found in Rhyolite of Malani volcanic soil. It is white in colour
and gritty in nature. The chemical analysis indicates 70% free silica with 14-15%
alumina. In the area 0.2 million tonne reserves were assessed.
Saltpetre
Village Kanwla in Tehsil Ahor has deposits of saltpetre within an area of about
1.9 bighas. The area was previously leased on fixed royalty basis. Local persons were
employed there for crude refining of saltpetre which is used for local pottery and fire
works and ammunitions industry.
Gypsum
Gypsum deposits are located near Ramsin, chawarda in Ahor Tehsil and at
number of places in Sanchore Tehsil. Ramsin and Sayar-ka- Kasita area is already leased
out to M/s R.S.M.D.C. Other small deposits are located near Vediya, Chittarwana,
Sewada, Hemagura and Haryali area.
Besides above, building stones and masonary stones, Bajri etc. have been
produced in the district for local use since long back. Small granules of the grey and
brown rhyolites are widely used in mosaic flooring.
Serpentinised dolomitic marble is known to occur near village Rupi, 9.5 Kms.
south west of Bhinmal. Minor occurrences of graphite and feldspar has also been found
in the east of Bhinmal town.
Mineral Administration
Mineral administration work in the district is being looked after by Assistant
Mining Engineer, Jalore which is under Mining Engineer Sirohi & Suptdg. Mining
Engineer Jodhpur. The geological work is carried out by office of Senior Geologist Sirohi
which is under Suptdg. Geologist (Phosphate) Udaipur. This office looks after geological
work in Sirohi & Jalore districts. The telephone numbers of these offices are as below:
Senior Geologist Sirohi
AME- Jalore
02972-32542
02973-32212
Office address- Both the offices are situated in one building. The address is:
Department of Mines & Geology
Khanij Bhawan, Pali Road, Sirohi
During the year 1999-2000 three Projects have been kept for geological
investigation in the district
1. Mineral Survey for clay and Gypsum near village Jhab, Thoban, etc. teh.
Sanchor district. Jalore.
2. Delineation for blockable granite areas around Nabi & Maylawas village Teh.
& district. Jalore.
3. Investigation for Jaspar, flint & other abrassive stones n/v Pachanwa,
Dudiyali, Lyatji , teh. Ahor, district Jalore.
Mineral Based Industries
A large number of granite based Industries have been setup near Jalore which
include granite cutting & polishing units, Tile manufacturing units and Granite machinary
manufactureres. Jalore has been termed as granite city because of its vicinity to the
granite deposits. At present there are more then 295 such units in Jalore producing slabs
& tiles. There is ample scope for setting up of other such industries as demand for Jalore
granite is increasing as it has large varieties of different colours.
Unpublished Geological Reports of Jalore District
A.Geological Survey of India & others (Available with Department of Mines &
Geology)
Shekhawat, L.S. & Bohra, S.K.; 987-88, Systematic geological mapping in parts
of Barmer & Jalore districts (Part C) Pal, G.N. & Guha, D.B. ; 1984-85, Quaternary
geological and geomorphological mapping in the. lower Luni Basin, Jalore & Barmer
districts.
Bhatnagar, P.S.; 1984-85, Quaternary geological and geomorphological studies in
parts of the lower Luni Basin Barmer & Jalore districts.
Mukherji, B & Pyne T.K. : 1978-79, Reports on systematic geological mapping of
the Malani Suite of Igneous Rocks in parts of Jalore district.
Mukherji, B.S. Murlidharan, V ; 1975-76, Report on systematic geological
mapping of Erinpura granites and Malani Suites of Igneous Rocks in parts of Jalor
district.
Chattopadhyay & Gangopadhyay; 1973-74, Report on systematic geological
mapping of Erinpura granite and Malani Igneous suite of Rocks in Jalore district.
Bhargava, K.D.; A report on clay deposit near Bhadrajun.
Mehta, S.C.; Reconnaissance for economic minerals in Jalore district.
Singh, S.P.; Reconnaissance for economic minerals in Jalore district.
Rai, S.C.; Regional assessment of different colour granite near Dhorimanna,
Chhopan-Ki-Dungri, Chohtan, Jaswantpura area in Jalore and Barmer districts.
Sharna, J.P., Singh, S.P.; A report on reconnaissance for economic mineral around
Dorra village in Bhinmal tehsil.
Sharma, J.P.; Final report on reconnaissance for economic mineral around
Raniwara.
M.U. Agwani, D.K. Porwal; A Report on reconnaissance for economic minerals
such as Clays and Gypsum near village Bhadrajun and Kishangarh, Teh. Ahor.
R.P. Vijayvergia; A report on reconnaissance for economic minerals near village
Nabi- Mayalawas teh. and disrict. Jalore.
M. S. Mehta; Report on reconnaissance and regional geological mapping of the
area around Deogarh, Rama, Selri, Banki, Korana Bala, Chandrai, Tamaka and Panchota
teh. Ahor.
M.S. Kothari, R.P. Vijayvergia ; A report on regional mineral survey for
Blockable granite in parts of Ahor, Raniwara and Bhinmal tehsil.
R.K. Dixit, R.P. Vijayyegia; Regional mineral Survey for granite and other
minerals around village Bithan, Akuna, Kerada, Baitarna and in part of Jalor & Sirohi
Disricts.
S.No.
Minerals
No. of Leases
1994-95
I
98-99
Production
(in'000tonnes)
1994-95
1.
MajorMinerals
Fluorite
5
6
0.75
2.
Gypsum
1
1
39.74
II
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Minor Minerals
Granite
Marble
Masonary stone
Bajri
Rhyolite
228
5
55
-
280
2
123
2
6.70
0.30
13.51
-
98-99
Sale-Value
(in'000 ton.)
1994-95
98-99
10.55
(P)
20.47
(P)
26.31
5.73
485.300
(P)
3.070 (P)
(27.813)
NIL
261.64
376.60
-
100.72
1.50
5.40
-
180.76
NIL
209.31
282.45
-
Revenue
(in '000 ton.)
1994-95
98-99
282.08
430.19
1306.80
430.01
5401.68
81.00
487.99
330.25
-
6770.68
10.96
655.06
1762.01
15.00