Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 17
The Nagaland department of Geology & Mining in collaboration with NEIST of Jorhat has completed the ‘Feasibility report on manufacture of coal briquettes for domestic use’. The report is now ready for introduction to interested entrepreneurs, according to the annual administrative report (2008-2009) of the department of Geology & Mining tabled in the recently-concluded state assembly session.
The report also stated that the preparation of “techno-feasibility report on manufacture of coke-breeze for use in VSK Cement Plants” from coal of Konya coalfield has been completed. It has indicated positive result. The department has also formulated a strategy for total implementation of the Nagaland Coal Policy 2006 and the Nagaland Coal Mine Rule 2006 for scientific and judicious exploitation of coal resources in the state.
Collaborative efforts are on between the NEIST and the department for exploring suitable technology for ‘desulphurization’ of Nagaland coals for use in mega-thermal power generation, the report states. The detailed assessment of coal resources for optimum utilization has been carried out in the coal-bearing districts of Nagaland. The report will be brought out shortly.
With the procurement of DTH water well drilling rig, the report stated, the department has formulated a multi-disciplinary master plan on exploration-need-based development of groundwater resources in the hilly area of the state. “The programme will intensify covering all the districts and sub-division headquarters in the hilly area in order to augment water resources for domestic and industrial uses,” the report stated.
During 2008-2009, the department has covered “geohydrological” investigations of Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung districts under the first phase. Four tube wells within Kohima town and one at ADC headquarter of Chiephobozou have been completed and handed over to the user agency, the report stated.
Further, 100 tonnes of magnetite ore samples and 20 tonnes of Limestone from Pokphur NML Jamshedpur for techno-economic feasibility studies at NML Jamshedpur have been collected and dispatched. The feasibility studies for establishment of “ferro-alloy” pilot steel plant-based on Pokphur magnetite is expected to be completed within this year.
The mini-cement plant established at Wazeho in Phek district under the management of NSMDC Ltd. has been upgraded to 150 TPD capacity. This is expected to cater to the demands of local consumers as well as to neighbouring Myanmar in the coming years, the report stated.
The decorative and dimensional stone projects at Wazeho and Chumukedima under the sponsorship of NEC are also being upgraded to make them commercially viable as well as to function as demonstration-training centers for private entrepreneurs. One unit each has been commissioned at Khonoma and Longsa village as common facility centers.
With a view to encouraged local self-employment avenues, the department has taken up a scheme called the People Development Programme (PDP) and the government is exploring avenues to obtain financial assistance from the CM’s Corpus Fund and low interest bank loans for the entrepreneurs.
The report also stated that multi-disciplinary explorations for base metals and noble metals (Platinum group of elements, gold, silver, etc.) and chromite are being carried out with Naga ophiolites in Phek district. Core samples of mineralised gabbroic, ultramafites and volcanic rock samples have been analysed by the Indian Bureau of Mines in Nagpur. Some samples from Naga ophiolites were being analysed by Trident Geo - Mysore. Many samples indicated positive results.
“The state government will be signing a MoU with Trident Geo - Mysore for carrying out the 2nd phase of detailed works within Naga ophiolites,” the report stated. It added that the department is to bring out various proved resources into the exploitation stage through small-scale mining industries by private entrepreneurs.
Mineral deposits which are ready for exploitation include coal of Borjan coalfield and Melak-Tzurang valley (Merakyong sector) Satuza and Nimi limestone/marble deposits, nickel-cobalt-chromium deposits at Pokphur, and slate deposits of Rotomi and Tseminyu areas.
