Successful Graphite Mining Initiative in Arunachal Pradesh

Mineral is a very important economic resource for Arunachal Pradesh. This north eastern state of India is blessed with many rich mineral resources. The mineral resources are in huge demand by the various industries. Dolomite and Graphite are two very important mineral resources that is supplied by Mining in Arunachal Pradesh. Both of these rare minerals are mined in Arunachal Pradesh.

Here’s a more on Graphite mining in Arunachal Pradesh

‘Graphite’ is derived from Greek word that means: ‘to write’. It is a form of carbon that naturally occurs. Graphene which is found in graphite is known to be one of the strongest substances on earth and is known to be 200 times stronger than steel. It is also a good conductor of electricity and heat.

The uses of graphite is multiple and the extent of usage is also vast – whether in pencils or in nuclear plants. It is used in brake linings, in electrodes, in batteries and manufacture of steel. In India Graphite is available in different parts of the country, Arunachal Pradesh being the lead manufacturer. It ranks among the five top manufacturers. The country’s reserve of crystalline allotrope of carbon is pegged at 11 million tonnes in the current years. The state which has the highest graphite reserve is Arunachal Pradesh. It accounts for 43% of graphite reserves in Arunachal Pradesh.

Graphite Mining is thus economically profitable in Arunachal Pradesh due to the following:

* Graphite is a crucial industrial mineral and always has a heavy demand in the industry. Since the demand is on the higher side always the mining requirement is also high and that makes it an economically viable mining option.

* The state has the highest reserve of graphite in the country. It is thus an ideal source for the supply of graphite demand.

* The people of Arunachal Pradesh are very hardworking and thus form a very important human resource support to the mining industry.

* A lot of attention is paid in the state to do responsible mining, where the mining is done without causing intense damage to the local flora and fauna and local ecological system.

Know about the dolomite mines in Arunachal Pradesh

One of the leading companies, Abhinaa Group is a conglomerate of some of the most hardworking and intelligent minds of this country. They have a pan-Indian presence with its branches spread in some major cities of India. From their period of a humble beginning in 2002, this company has maintained a strong presence in five established business sectors namely mining, construction, public health, hospitality and management. 

The mining sector is one of the largest contributions of this company. It has 2 sites of dolomite mines in Arunachal Pradesh at lease. These mines are heavily resourceful with a reserve of up to 20 million tonnes. The group has also set up plants for magnesium extraction in order to recover the magnesia from the dolomite ore. This successful operation has led to the marketing of the magnesium metal to several business spaces like fertilizers and pharmaceuticals. 

 
About the dolomite mineral - 

The dolomite is a naturally made, rock-forming minerals. Also known as a calcium, magnesium carbonate, it has a chemical composition of CaMg(Co32) and is a primary component of the sedimentary rock. It is also called dolostone, while the metamorphic rock is called dolomitic marble. Limestone also contains dolomitic limestone. 

Mostly found in the modern sedimentary environment, these rocks are extensive geographically and can be hundreds to thousand feet thick. The rocks which were rich in dolomite got deposited as calcium carbonate mud. Pos deposition, the pore water which is rich in magnesium alters/transforms it to dolomite again. 

 
The uses of dolomite - 

Used majorly as a source of magnesium metal and of magnesia, it forms an essential constituent of the refractory bricks. One often uses dolostone as an alternative for limestone and also as an aggregate for both cement and bitumen mixes. Nowadays the use of dolomite as a flux in blast furnaces has increased manifold. This is mostly because it causes less environmental contamination. 

 
The dolomite / graphite mines in Arunachal Pradesh - 

Arunachal Pradesh is one of the largest states in the north eastern region of the country. The state has a heavy potential of natural resources, although some of it is being exploited unsystematically and unscientifically. The mineral wealth of the state being quite impressive, this place is a host to a large number of both metallic and non-metallic minerals. One of them is Dolomite. 

The deposits of limestone and dolomite are found in different stratigraphic locations of this hill region such as near Hubli in Dibang district, Tidding in Lohit district, near Pangin in East Siang district and others. The Estimated reserves in these areas have been calculated to be 140 million tonnes in Tidding, 13.35 million tonnes in Hubli etc. It is largely used for a different range of manufacturing and industrial purposes all over the country. 

 
The graphite mines in Arunachal Pradesh - 

This company owns large stores of graphite reserves. This is put to use for a variety of purposes, ranging from pencil leads to refactors, steel manufacturing to batteries and brake linings. Many nuclear and steel plants use graphite electrodes. India falls among the top five graphite producing nations in the world. The estimated total reserves of graphite in this country are almost 11 million tonnes.