Read about the Evolution of the Mining Industry in India

Mining in India has a lengthy, chequered history. It underwent many twists and turns throughout the changing phases of technological, economic and political situations. To gain a total comprehensive understanding of the nature and scale of mining in this country, one has to know how the industry evolved. Studies say that India has the second largest mining industry just after agriculture. It has played a very significant role in the building up human civilizations. Slowly, the industry began to evolve in response to the demand for minerals and resources as well as their depletion. Today, mining is hugely responsible for bringing about modern social-economic expansion and progress.

The process of mining by the Mining Company in Kolkata is conducted in both hilly and plain areas. Since they are a very crucial raw material, the rate of extraction has increased in the present 20th and 21st century. Gradually, it took up a rapid pace, and the mineral industry flourished. It began to contribute significantly to the national income as well as foreign exchange. Over the years, the realization about the value of minerals increased.

Mining in Ancient Industry :

In the pre-Vedic period, mining of metals like gold, silver, copper, gemstones, etc was done. Though iron and coal were least known in the Indus valley civilization, other metallurgical industries were quite developed.

By the latter Purana period, the state ownership of mines started to be established. One of the most informative works ( a comprehensive treatise on political economy, statecraft and arts, it also dealt with regulations in other fields) written by Chanakya mentioned an authentic record about geological minerals and the mining sector of those times. Proving how progressive this industry was even in those times, the mining organization was completely under government monopoly and the Ministry of Revenue.

Similarly, descriptions of metals, like the use of good quality steel and mineral salts was mentioned in the (200-400 BC) Charaka and Susruta Samhitas. It can also be presumed that large masses of coal began to be used as a burning fuel or for iron ore smelting. The ruins of Smruthi show how furnaces and slag heaps were situated closer to coal regions and that it was used widely for commercial purposes. With the arrival of Muslims in 1200 AD, rulers like Shershah were very well competent in controlling the mining and metallurgical industry. The presence of older mines like mine workings and slag heaps testify how well the industry flourished. However, by the end of the 19th century, the practice increased by an appreciable extent. Consequently, mineral mining began at a full scale and become a major source of income. 

 

The present condition :

Today, “Abhinaa Group” has some of the largest reserves of mines in West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh. Mining in West Bengal consists of sand blocks for industrial and construction purposes, The group controls large means of graphite reserves, dolomite and limestone mines as well as sand blocks. The company employs new age technology and sophisticated modern types of equipment to bring successful productivity in this sector.

All about Sand and its use as a construction material.

Sand has been nature’s contribution to human development. Any housing that is seen, any concrete bridge that is walked on, any steps that are climbed carry these natural blessings in abundance. Whether in the manufacture of bricks or as a base material for preparing concrete, sand is there everywhere.

For this purpose mining through sand blocks has been taking place in active collaboration between private groups and government. Like the Abhinna group, which engages in mining through Sand Blocks in West Bengal – in areas like Uttar Dinajpur, Birbhum, Purba Paschim Burdwan, Bankura, Medinipur, Purulia, Malda and Jalpaiguri District.


Here we get to know about this bountiful gift of nature :

 About Sand : What we call sand in common terms is actually a mixture of fragmented particles of decomposed rocks, shells, corals etc. Sand had been a result of fragmentation over the years. In terms of size, it is finer than gravel and coarser than silt. Though sand is a mixture of many materials,  the most common constituents of sand is silica.  Another important constituent of sand is calcium carbonate. The percentage of composition of the constituents varies from place to place, depending on natural surroundings.


Uses of Sand in Construction :  Though there have been different uses of sand – from manufacture of glasses to ingredient for polishing tools, it for construction industry that sand is most popularly used. The popularity of sand as a base material for concrete was popularized during World War I when there grew an abundant need to construct paved roads. This popularity grew through the 1920s. Then came in the late 1940s and early 1950s – an era which witnessed the boom in housing. Over the years as the concept of apartments came in, the need for sand as the base material for concrete grew.

In concrete sand is mixed with gravel, cement and water and made into a slurry. This slurry when hardened forms a rock-solid concrete structure which provides the base strength to buildings. The coarse, angular structure and the strength of the sand provides the inter molecular space for adequate binding, as well as provides strength to the concrete structure.


Different Types of natural sand that obtained :

1) Pit Sand : Pit sands are coarse sand. This type of sand  are obtained from digging deep pits where there is an abundance of supply. This is generally  red-orange in color. The coarse and angular shape of the particles makes it usable in concrete.

2) River Sand : Desert sand is obtained from river bed. Compared to pit sand it is of finer quality. It is whitish grey in color. The grains are more fine and rounded due to mutual attrition. This makes it of a very fine quality. It is much used in construction especially for plastering.

3) Sea Sand : It is obtained from sea shores. The grain is brown and rounded. However sea sand is not much used as construction material because the rounded structure makes it less resistant to molecular rearrangement.  Moreover sea sand contains salts which erodes the plastered surface and causes seepage in the long run.

4) Desert Sand : This is the type of sand one would find in the desert region formed by the erosion of rock for many million years.  Desert sand is however not suitable for construction purposes.



Responsible Sand Mining : Looking at the enormous need of sand for construction purposes, sand mining becomes an inevitable reality. Sand mining is done either through sand pits or extraction from river beds. However rampant mining is always prohibited and a few groups like the Abhinna Group- a mining company in kolkata has taken up the cause of ‘responsible sand mining’ where sand mining takes place with extreme caution and care. Extreme caution is taken to maintain the natural balance and without unending disturbance to natural topography. By this the sand is obtained but keeping the environment aspect in mind.