Mineral Resources

Crude oil: Crude oil is the ‘most important mineral product of Assam. Total production of petroleum crude in Assam accounts for nearly 50 per cent of country’s total petroleum output till 1970. Assam produced about 15 per cent of total petroleum crude produced in India. Crude oil is available in Sibsagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Tinisukia and Dibrugarh and estimated a reserved of 70.46 million tonnes. Oil deposits in Assam are found in Naharkatiya, Moran, Hugrizan, Rudrasagar, Galeky, Lakwa, Nazira, Teok etc.

Natural Gas: Assam is well blessed by nature in respect of natural gas. Total reserve of natural gas in Assam is estimated to be 23,000 million cubic metres. This is available at Naharkatiya, Moran and some other parts of Upper Asaam area. Namrup Fertilizer plant and Namrup Gas Thermal Power Project are the main two projects using natural gas in , Assam. On the other hand Assam Gas Cracker Project is being constructing in Dibrugarh district. Moreover, in recent years, total amount of natural gas utilised in Assam has increased.

Coal : Coal is one of the important mineral product in Assam. Coal provides fuel to households and industries in Assam along with other by-products. The major coalfields in Assam are situated at, Margherita, Nazira, Lankadaman, Makum Jaipur, Ledo, Namdum etc. A total coal reserve of Assam is 295.2 million MT as per GS, assessment. Total annual production of coal in Assam is about 6 lakh tones. Assam constituted 0.49 per cent of the total coal production of the country as a whole.

Lime Stone: Lime stone is used as an important raw-material for the production of Cement Lime Stone is an important mineral product of Assam. Lime stone mines in Assam are situated at Garampani and Koliajan in the district of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills. Total reserves of limestone in Garampani and Koliajan area are estimated to be 78 million tonnes and 81 million tonnes respectively. Limestone in Assam is high quality. Bokajan Cement Factory is based on the lime stone reserve of Koliajan.

Other Minerals : There are also some other mineral resources available in Assam. Among the main natural resources Fire Clay, Kaoline, Iron Ore, Fullers Earth, Feldspar etc are important mineral resources. Fire Clay is available in Selvetta, Koliajan and Namdeng areas of Assam and their probable reserves are 2.10 million tornes. On the other hand Kaoline is avilable at Selvetta and Japri area and its reserves are estimated to be 0.58 million tonnes. Iron ore is also found in Chandardings. Lengupara and Kumari area of Goalpara district and also in Mahim area of Kamrup district. Fullers Earth and Feldspur are also available at Kamrup district and its reserves are estimated to be 17.million tonnes and 0.02 million tonnes respectively.

Assam is very rich with its deposit of some of the basic mineral resources which will provide scope for industrialisation through proper utilisation.