TESTING FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT MINES & GEOLOGY
DEPARTMENT LABORATORY
The Mineral Laboratory of the department situated at the central office, Udaipur is
functioning since 1952. The main objective is to analyze and evaluate the quality of the
minerals of the State. Generally following three types of work on mineral samples are
undertaken in the laboratory generated by the departmental geological prospecting and
the samples from the mine owners, traders & entrepreneurs of mineral based industries.
1.
Chemical analysis of mineral samples.
2.
3.
Physical properties tests of glass & ceramic Minerals.
Bench scale ore dressing studies.
WORK OF THE LABORATORY
Characterization and evaluation of physio-chemical properties of minerals of the State are
being undertaken in this laboratory since four decades. About 5000 mineral samples are
analyzed/tested every year, which include the samples from private parties/mine owners
etc. for whom the facilities of testing/analysis have been provided on no profit no loss
charge basis. Major thrust is on chemical analysis of the following minerals:-:Limestone,
Dolomite, Soapstone, Clays, Base metals (Pb, Zn, Cu ores), Gypsum, Lignite, Tungsten
& Gold bearing minerals. Facilities have been generated to analyze gold/silver noble
metals by fire assay technique and conducting studies on mineral processing i.e. simple
beneficiation tests and various physical property tests on ceramic minerals and
dimensional stones, namely marble, granite, slate stone, sand stone. The test procedures
adopted are as per BIS standard. The laboratory is capable of analyzing about 42 types of
minerals which is a unique facility as compared to other State laboratories in the country.
Besides Chemical analysis, special test namely decrepitation test on limestone/dolomite
is also undertaken. Regarding testing of fuel minerals, proximate analysis & sulphur
estimation of lignite' etc. are also undertaken.
Instruments / Equipments
The Mineral Laboratory consists of two sections. These are (1) chemical analysis section
and (2) ceramic and ore dressing section. In chemical analysis section chemical analysis,
instrumental analysis and fire assay are under taken and in ceramic & ore dressing
laboratory, testing of physical properties of ceramic minerals and dimensional stones,
levigation studies, activation characteristic of bentonite, special tests like decrepitation
test and preliminary beneficiation studies are taken up. No pilot plant or continuous
testing facility is available. The laboratory is equipped with various instruments for
analytical work and physical tests. These are as follows:
Chemical Laboratory
(1) Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS)
(2) Digital spectrophotometer.
(3) Flame photometer.
(4) Gloss/Reflectance meter.
(5) Bomb Calorimeter.
(6) pH Meter
(7) Electric Balance.
(8) Ionalyzer. .
(9) Electric Furnace.
Ceramic and Ore dressing Laboratory
(1) Jaw Crusher
(2) Roll Crusher
(3) Edge runner mill
( 4) Vibrating Screen
(5) Raymond mini Mill
(6) Pug Mill
(7) Ball Mill
(8) Pot Mill
(9) Pulverizes
(10) Rod Mill
(11) Mineral Jigs
(12) Flotation cells
(13) Sieve Shaker
(14) Wet Sieve Shaker
(15) Abrasion testing Machine
(16) Universal Testing Machine
(17) Compressive strength testing Machine
(18) Viscometer
(19) Mini Autoclave
(20) Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (T.G.A)
(21) Electrical Furnace (1400° C)
(22) Fluid loss testing apparatus
(23) Davis Tube (Magnetic Separator) (24) High Intensity magnetic Chute
Technical expertise/Man Power Position
The officers and staff of the laboratory are one chemical & ceramic engineer, two senior
chemists, five chemists and twelve chemical assistants. The persons working in the
laboratory have an in-depth knowledge of analyzing and testing of all minerals produced
in the state.
Petrological Laboratory
The departmental Petrological Laboratory is to generate basic information with regards to
the identification and characterization of minerals. This laboratory is equipped with high
precision NU-2 microscope and sophisticated section cutting machine (Logitech) and
other various microscopes and related equipments. The laboratory is headed by
Petrologist. Facilities are available to the mine owners/private parties for ore microscopic
study and thin section study in this laboratory.
Testing Facilities Available to the private parties
Analysis and testing facilities are provided to mine owners, mineral traders, and
entrepreneurs for the development of mineral based industries. These facilities of testing
/analysis have been provided on no profit a loss basis.
Procedure of depositing testing charges
For chemical analysis and other physical tests an application is to be given on plain paper
or firms letter head indicating the name of the mineral, sample mark and the type of test,
addressed to The Director, Mines and Geology Department, Khanij Bhavan,
Udaipur-313001.The testing charges are to be deposited in advance either in cash or in
the form of demand draft (D.D) drawn in favour of The Additional Director
(Administration) payable at Udaipur. Normally it takes 3-10 working days time for the
analysis/testing depending upon the type of mineral.
A few useful studies so far undertaken by the Mineral Laboratory
1
Chemical Analysis of various minerals for elemental determination of lead, zinc,
copper, nickel, cobalt, cadmium, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, gold, silver,
tungsten and Constituents in silicate, carbonate, halides & oxides minerals.
2
Levigation studies of clay of Kharbaria ka guda, Udaipur.
3
Beneficiation of low grade kyanite of khemli area, Udaipur.
4
Beneficiation of base matel or (Pb, Zn, cu) of Deri area, Sirohi.
5
Beneficiation of base metal or (pb, Zn, cu) of Basantgarh area, Sirohi.
6
Levigation studies of clay of suraj ki Dhani, Bikaner.
7
Levigation studies of clay of Nal area, Bikaner.
8
Beneficiation of low grade manganese ore, Banswara area (sponsored).
9
Levigation studies of clay of Bikaner (sponsored).
10 Levigation studies of clay of Banasti, Godi, Kesharpura area, Chittaurgarh.
11 Beneficiation of low grade Wollastonite from Aspur area, Banswara.
12 Levigation studies of clay of Botia, Kapurdi area, Barmer.
13 Levigation studies of clay of Gurala, Deh, Mudh, Kotri, Chandi area, Bikaner. .
14 Levigation studies of clay of Khajawana area, Nagaur.
15 Processing of Conglomerate of Kesharpura, Badawali area, Chittaurgarh.
16 Activation Studies of Bentonite Sheo area, Barmer.
17 Activation Studies of Bentonite from Khediapratap, Choti sunnel area, Jhalawar.
18 Levigation studies of clay of Barsingsar area, Bikaner.
19 Processing of Silica sand of Humumant Khera area, Jhalawar.
20 Processing of Silica sand of Ghatra area, Alwar.
21 Processing of Conglomerate of Kesharpura, Kalayanpura area, Chittorgarh.
22 Beneficiation of low grade magnesite of Par sad area Udaipur.
23 Levigation studies of clay of Beethi ki Gaon area, Jodhpur.
24. Processing of Silica sand of Kaman area, Bharatpur.
25 Activation Studies of Bentonite from Akli area, Barmer.
26 Beneficiation of low grade Wollestonite of Goal Alipura area, Ajmer.
27 Levigation studies of chalk of Kothi, Bhanwata area, Ajmer.
28 Beneficiation of low grade Magnesite of Rikhavdeo area, Udaipur.
29 Beneficiation of low grade Kyanite of Bir Srinagar area, Ajmer.
30 Decrepitation studies of Limestone from Sanu, Miaon Ki Dahani area, Jaisalmer.
31 Briquette of Lignite of Kapurdi area, Barmer.
32 Activation Studies of Bentonite from Akli area, Barmer.
33 Beneficiation of low grade Magnesite of Kotra area, Udaipur.
34 Utilization of Intercalated limestones from Sanu area, Jaisalmer in cement making.