GEOLOGY & MINERAL RESOURCES OF ALWAR DISTRICT
Alwar district situated in the north-eastern corner of the state, is bounded by
Jaipur, Bharatpur, Karauli and Dausa district of Rajasthan and Mahendragarh district
of Harayana. It is situated between 27°4' and 28°4' North latitude and 76°7' and 77°
13' East longitude, with greatest length of 137 kms. in N-S and 110 kms. in E-W.
The district covers an area of 8380 sq. kms. comprising 10 tehsils, namely
Bahror, Mandawar, Kishangarh Bas. Tijara, Bansur, Alwar, Ranlgarh, Thanaghaji,
Rajgarh, Lacchmangarh.
Recently brought on the broad gauge railway map of. India, Alwar city is, well
connected to important cities. Delhi the national capital is only 164 kms. north east of
Alwar. It is connected by State Highway No. 13 to Jaipur (126 kms.) National
Highway NO.8 passes through the north eastern part of the district touching Behror
and Shahjahanpur.
The district is fairly regular quadrilateral in shape. Ridges of rocky and
precipitous hills for the most part parallel to each other are a feature observable
throughout the district which however is generally open to the North. and East. The
district is characterised by north eastern part of Arava1li range which runs
uninterruptedly for about 81 kms intersecting the district in two parts. Major rivers
of the district are Sabi, Ruparel and the tributaries of Banganga river. Different types
of soils viz. Sandy loamy, sandy loam and clayey loam are found in the district.
Geology
Geologically the district is a mosaic of Pre-Cambri an rock units belonging to
Aravalli and Delhi Super group. Modified generalised stratigraphic sequence is as
under.
Post Delhi
Aravalli
Bharkol
Delhi
Super
group
Ajabgarh Formation
Group
ThanaghaziFormation
SariscaFormation
KushalgarhFormation
Alwar
PratapgarhGroup
Formation
Acid intrusive Granite, PegmatiteBasic
intrusive
Amphibolite, Metadolerite
Quartzite interlayered with garnet schist,
Slate
Quartzite interlayered with
Carbonphyllite
Carbonaceous phyllite, Marble
Brecciated quartzite & ferruginous
quartzite
Impure marble
Massive quartzite with schist & marble
Kankwari
Formation
Rajgarh
Fonnation
Schist (sericitic, biotitic, garnet etc.)
Quartzite, Marble Gritty quartzite,
Conglomerate., Pebbly quartzite.
--------------------------------------------Unconformity-------------------------------------------Pre Delhi
(Pre Aravalli) Granites and gneisses, Quartzite with interlayered schist
and Phyllite, Impure marble & associated quartzite.
Pre Delhi rocks of the district comprise quartzite and schist of variable nature
& composition, impure marble & granite. The metasediments are exposed around
Rajgarh near Ratanpura, Surer and Kaled, while exposures of granitic rock are
scattered around Parla, Reni, Mundia and Bhilkeri. Delhi super group starts with a
basal conglomerate which is arkosic at places. The entire sequence shows a facial
change from calcareous members in the lower to arenaceous members in middle and
to a predominantly argillaceous nature in the upper portion.
There are three distinct types of Post Delhi intrusives viz. sills and dykes of
amphibolites. and metadolerite, (ii) plutons of granites of variable dimensions and (iii)
pegmatite bodies. The basic bodies are older compared to the acid intrusives and
constitutionally range from amphibolites to meta dolerite. While acid intrusives are
represented by granite, aplite and pegmatite, quartz torumaline and quartz veins are
more frequent then pegmatites.
MINERALS OF ALWAR DISTRICT
A variety of minerals both metallic and non metallic are found in Alwar
district. The metallic minerals include copper, iron and manganese, while non metallic
minerals include batytes, silica sand, quartz, yellow ochre, pyrophyllite, soapstone,
limestone, granite and marble etc.
Details of mineral deposits are given below:
METT ALIC MINERALS
Copper
There are more then 30 recorded copper occurrences in Alwar district in
addition to the three well known copper deposits at Pratapgarh, Kho-Dariba and
Bhagoni which have been explored to various stages by different agencies.
The Bhagoni deposit is located near Tehla village where a large number of old
working mines and slag dumps indicate ancient mining activity, The mineralisation is
in enechelon pattern concentrated along a calcite vein. The ore zone persists over a
strike length of 1200 mts. The ore reserves have been estimated to the tune of 5.2
million tonnes containing 1.07% copper (cut of grade 0.65% Cu). The ore also include
traces of gold, 1-3 gm/tonne of silver, 300-500 ppm cobalt and 150-200 ppm nickel as
by product.
Kho Dariba copper deposit is located about 25 kms SSE of Sariska. The ore
zone is characterized by parallel concordant stringers with in phyllites and also
disseminations within quartzite with a total strike length of 3380 mts. The total
measured and indicated reserves are approx. 0.56 million tonnes with average 3.46%
Cu, over an average width of 6.70 mts.
Numerous old mine workings and mine shafts are distributed over 5 kms.
along NNE-SSW strike near village Pratapgarh. Near Naldeshwar village 123 old
workings have been found. Exploratoty work done by G.S.I. has indicated weak
mineralised zones containing 0.3 to 0.5% Cu over a width of 2.4 mts. Sporadic
0occurrences of copper have been reported from Kalozoda, Matasula, Baraund,
Tatarpur, Gola ka Bas, Angori etc.
Iron
Low grade iron ores have been reported from near villages Purana, Rajgarh,
Khanpur, Raipur, Bileta, Bhang, Kayasa and Kushalgarh etc.
NON METALLIC MINERALS
Barytes
Before the discovery of Relpatlia deposit Alwar district was contributing 90%
of Rajasthan's production of barytes. Here barytes is associated with quartz veins of
varying dimensions. Bhankara deposit is the largest. Baryte is massive and light pink
in colour. Other prominent deposits are located near villages Jharoli, Pehal, Reni,
Dera, Sainpuri, Zahir ka khera, Madhogarh, Ferompur, Gorah, Gujari and Bhagat Ka
Bas etc.
Soapstone & Pyrophyllite
Significant occurrences of soapstone and pyrophyllite are located near
villages Sirawas, Ragoda, (teh. Alwar), Bagor, (teh. Tijara), Dhani Gujaran, Bavadi
Bamanwas, Nangal, Bhatpura Samore, Natala (teh. Thanagaji) Nangal, Chandel (teh.
Rajgarh), Khora, Karwali, Berta (teh. Laxmangarh), The soapstone of these areas is
of DDT grade.
Limestone
Limestone bands are located near villages Malana, Rajgarh Berli, Asan,
Ramroli etc. Near Malana limestone is exposed for a strike length of about 2.2 kms.
with average width of 90 mts. A total of 22 million tonnes of cement grade limestone
reserves have been estimated in this area. In Berli area limestone band is exposed for
a length of 1.2 kms. and width about 100 mts.
Felspar & Quartz
Vein quartz and zoned pegmatite having felspar are located near villages
Adhira, Hamirpur (teh. Bansur), Ragoda (teh. Alwar), Tatarpur (teh. Mandawar),
Thatra (teh. Rajgarh), Kho Ratakhurd, Raipur, Bedhin, Badkan, Kali pahari (teh.
Thanaghaji) etc.
Silica Sand
Silica sand has been located in Narayani area. It is white in colour and Fine
grained. Reserves of 64640 tonnes with 98% silica have been estimated in this area.
Silica sand is also found as gritty quartzite near Ghyaspur extending from
Narayanpur to Bilia for about 1 km. length. Silica sand has also been located in
Nathusar area where investigations have been done by the state department in about
400 x 80 mts. area. The silica sand of Ghatra area was washed in the ceramic
laboratory of the department. It was found that by washing it can be improved from
91.9 % silica to 98.36 %. Iron could be reduced from 0.48 % to 0.32 % with sand
recovery of 63 %. The estimated reserves in this area are about 1.2 million tonnes.
Small lenses of silica sand are also located near Sahr oli, Chapra area.
Red & Yellow Ochre
Red and yellow ochre have been reported near village Bidaska (teh.
Laxmangargh), Neemla Guwara (teh. Thanaghaji), Nalpir (teh. Behror) Both red and
yellow ochre are suitable for paint and pigment industries.
Slate
Slate deposits are located near village Tesing, Nibhor, Bassi , Mehtabas etc.
These are thinly cleavable with buff to dark grey colour. Alwar district is sole
producer of slate in the state. Slates are being used as building stone and have now
developed good market of slate tiles, mainly used for paneling.
Graphite
Minor occurences of graphite have been located near villages Jadoli and
Tagoda being low in carbon content these deposits are economically unviable.
Granite
Granite occurrences have been reported from different localities in the district
viz. Harsora, Devson, Maluwas in tehsil Bansur, Khairthal teh. Kishanganj, Bas and
near Dhuninath temple in teh. Thanaghaji. Granite is coarse to medium grained
having various shades of grey to pink. State Department has established reserves of 28
million cubic meters in this area.
Marble / Dolomite
Good quality marble is available in small areas in Alwar dist., around villages
Dadikar, Kaled, Nalgaon and Kushalgarh. Other known occurrences are near Malana,
Govardhanpura etc. In Palpur- Kho area dolomite is exposed in an area of about 3
kms. length and 2 kms. width. In this belt three probable zones of S.M.S. grade
dolomite were delineated. The tentative reserves are about 200 million tonnes. At
present it is being quarried as marble.
Besides above, other minor minerals like masonary stone, bajri, chert, brick
earth, and shale also occur and are being mined in the district.
Mineralwise production, sale value, revenue and number of labours engaged in
mining activity in Alwar district for the year 1997-98 is given in table-1.
Mineral Based Industries
Alwar district has gained an important place in building and decorative stones.
The marble and slate stone deposits are well known. About 11 major and 9 minor
minerals are produced in the district on which about 260 mineral based industries in
medium to small sector have been established. These include 15 gangsaws and 50
cutters for marble & other stonnes.
The main industries are marble cutting and polishing mini cement plants,
sanitary wares, glazed tiles, insulators, potteries, mineral grinding and pulverising
units, chips making units. slate stone cutting units, lime and brick kilns, pesticides,
barium chemicals etc. There is scope for setting up of more such cutting-polishing,
tiles and pottery industries in the district. However, a large number of mineral areas
fall in reserve forest/game sanctuary and this has hindered the mining and industrial
growth of the district.
Mineral Administration
Mineral administration work in the district is looked after by Mining Engineer,
Alwar which is under Suptdg. Mining Engineer, Bharatpur. The geological work is
carried out by office of Senior Geologist. Alwar which is under Suptdg. Geologist,
Jaipur. This office looks after the geological work in Alwar, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur and
Dausa districts. The telephone numbers of these offices are as below.
Mining Engineer, Alwar
(0144) 20475
Senior Geologist, Alwar
(0144) 23899
During the year 1998-99 three projects have been proposed for geological
investigations in Alwar district.
1.
Regional mineral survey for splittable slate stone and other economic minerals
near village Budnala, Jhakharana, tehsil Behror.
2.
Continuation of search for marble in gap areas around village Jhiri, Distt,
Alwar.
3.
Continuation of investigations for basemetals near village Mothuka, tehsil
Kishangarh Bas.
There are 21 leases for major minerals and 482 for minor minerals in the
district and total revenue earned during 1997-98 was Rs. 391.28lacs.
Two foreign (Australian) companies have been granted license for carrying
out aerial survey and prospecting for minerals in the district.
Unpublished Geological Reports of Alwar District
A. Department of Mines & Geology, Rajasthan
Srivastava. S. B. L. : A report on investigation of copper
ore at Bharkol-Ka-Bara, teh.
Lacchmangarh.
Sharma, R.S. :A report on reconnoitorysurvey of tehsil
Pahari.
Shivastava, S. B.L. : A report on barytes deposites in
Alwar district.
Sharma, K.C. : Investigation for graphite near Saloli.
Badola, S.S. : A report on copper ore deposits near
Dhor-Dariba and Karoi area.
Gupta, R.G., Mehta, M.S. : Search for economic
minerals with igneous and metamorphic
facies in Alwer.
Bhargava, M. K. : Investigation report of barytes deposit
near Ram Singh-pura, tehsil Rajgarh.
Bhargava, M.K. : Final reprot of sampling and mapping
of Jhiri dolomite, limestone. .
Kachhara, R.C. : Preliminery investigation report of
barytes near Zahir-Ka-Khera in Alwar distriet.
Dwivedi, C.S., Khichi, N.S. A report on the
investigation of barytes deposits near
Norangabad.
Srivastava, S.B.L. : A report on the investigation of
barytes deposit at Ram Singh-Pura,
tehsil Ramgarh.
Bhargava, M.K.: A report on barytes investigation near
Ram Singh-pura area.
Agrawal, S.C. : A report of mineral survey in Alwar
district.
Bhargava, M.K. :, Preliminary report on the
prospecting work of barytes in Alwar.
Kulshrestha, N.P., Agwani, M.U. Investigation for
economic minerals in Pandupole.
Bhratori, Naraini and other areas in
district Alwar.
Kulshresth, N.P., Agwani, M.U. : Interim report on the
investigation of silica sand deposit in
Naraini area.
Sethi, M. L. : Mineral deposit of Alwar Distt.
Swami, S. K. : A report on the investigation for
basemetal in Tal-vriksh area.
Swami, S.K. : A report on the prospecting for cement
grade limestone in Ghatra Mallan area.
Ceramic: A report on investigation for silica sand in
Ghatra area.
Dr. S.K. Maanju, M.M. Sharma. : Geological studies
carriedout near villages Moror Kalan,
Bileta, Rajpur, Chhilori and Bara in teh.
Rajgarh distt. Alwar (August 1994).
S.K. Gupta, G.P. Mathur. : An Interim report on
geophysical investigation for basemetal
in lsra-Ka-Bas area distt. Alwar.
G.P. Mathur, R.S. Singhvi. : A report on Geophysical
prospecting for basemetal in Bhagor
area, distt. Alwar.
B. Geological Survey of India & others
(Available with Department of Mines & Geology)
Jain, S.S.; 1986:-88; Report on investigation for search
of Sn-W mineralisation in Malani lgneous
Suit and part Delhi Granitoids of NorthEastem Rajasthan.
Singh S. P; 1977-78; Report on detailed geological
mapping in Toda ka Bag area Alwar
district, Rajasthan.
Sinha PN.; 1973-74; A report on systematic geological
mapping in Bharatpur - Kherli - weir Rupleas area, Bhartpur and Alwar
districts, Rajasthan.
Barman, Dr. G; 1979-80; A report on the study of
stromatolites from the Delhi super group
around Behrod district, Alwar, Rajasthan.
Malhotra A.K. & Sinha A.P.; 1987-88, Report on the
investigation for phosphate in Rajgarh
area, district Alwar, Rajasthan.
Chauhan D.P.S. & Singh, N; 1984-85; Geophysical
investigation for copper mineralization in
Pratapgarh Raisar area, Alwar & Jaipur
district, Rajasthan.
Gupta, D.S. Das; 1986-88; Report on investigation
for phosphate in Ajabgarh group of rocks
in North-Eastern Rajasthan.
Negi, R.S.; 1975-83; A report on basemetal
investigation in Baraud area Alwar, district
Rajasthan.
Bakliwal, P.C. & Ravindra, R.; 1971-72; Geological
mapping in Mandawar, Khairthal,
Kishangarh Bas area, Alwar distnct,
Rajasthan.
Sant, V.N.; 1964-65; Preliminary report on the
investigations of some Barytes
deposites in Alwar and Bharatpur
districts, Rajasthan.
Ravindra, R. Basu, S.K.; 1973-74; Report on the
systematic geological mapping around
Alwar, Behror, Tasing and Nimrana areas,
Alwar district Rajasthan.
Bakliwal, P.C. & Maharaja Singh H.J.; 1972-73,
Investigation for copper near Tarapur
district Alwar.
Basu, S.K. & Ray, S.K.; 1972-93, Report on the
investigation for copper mineralization in
Nalladeshwar area, Alwar district Rajasthan.