Minerals in South Bihar

Study Notes

Minerals

South Bihar has a greater concentration of minerals than North Bihar
Manganese
- India is the 5th largest producer and has the 9th largest reserves in the world
- Found in Patna, Munger and Gaya
- Used in the Iron and Steel industry for making alloy
Mica
- 3 varieties of mica are found in India - Muscovite, Phlogopite, and Biotite.
- Mica that is found in Bihar and Jharkhand is Muscovite.
- For its insulating property, it is used abundantly in the electronics industry.
- Found in Southeast Bihar in the districts of Nawada, Jamui, Muzaffarpur, Gaya
- Found in Jharkhand in the districts of Hazaribagh, Koderma, and Giridih.
Pyrite
- Sulfide of iron, used to make Sulphuric acid.
- Sulphuric acid is used in industries like fertilizer, petroleum, steel etc.
- Mainly found in the Sone valley and Vidhyan belt in Rohtas district
Limestone
- Chiefly consists of Calcium Carbonate.
- Limestone deposits are of sedimentary origin.
- Good quality limestone is used in the cement industry while low quality is used in the iron and building construction industry.
- Good quality limestones are found in Rohtas, Munger and Kaimur
Asbestos
- Fibrous in nature.
- Used in fireproof safes, insulators, insulating mats etc.
- Asbestos cement is used in making sheets, pipes, and tiles for building purposes.
- Mainly found in Munger.
Monazite
- Found in Gaya and Munger
Quartz
- Found in Munger.
- Used in the cement and power industries.
Uranium
- Found in Gaya.
- Used in nuclear reactors.
Beryllium
- Used as a moderator in the nuclear reactor.
- Found in the Gaya district.
Bauxite
- Important ore of aluminium.
- Not a specific mineral but a rock consisting mainly of hydrated aluminium oxides.
- Found in the Munger and Rohtas district.
Gold
- Found in the Jamui district.
- Found in auriferous lodes and some of it is found in the sands of rivers.
- Used for making ornaments and is also used as an international currency.
Feldspar
- Found along with quartz in Pegmatite rocks.
- Applications in ceramic, glass and refractory industries.
- Found in Munger, Gaya, Jamui district.
Lead
- Obtained from a mineral named Galena.
- Used in many forms
- Found in Banka and Rohtas District.

Energy Resources

Availability of adequate, reliable, affordable and quality power is necessary for economic growth.
Bihar's per capita power consumption is 327.7 kWh, much lower than India’s 1030.25 kWh.
Bihar State Electricity Board was set up in April 1958 under the Electricity Supply Act.
Power generation in Bihar is primarily based on fossil fuels.
Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) is promoting renewable energy.
Barauni Thermal Power Plant
- The only power plant under the state sector.
- Based on the oil refinery at Barauni.
- Established in 1970 with Russian help.
Kanti Bijli Utpadan Nigam Limited
- Joint venture of NTPC and Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited.
Kosi Hydel Power Station
- Constructed on the river Kosi in Supaul
- Commissioned in 1970.
- Handed over to the Bihar govt.in 16th November 2003