GSI’s geochemical mapping to reveal opportunities

NAGPUR:

Geological Survey of India

's (GSI) flagship project

National Geochemical Mapping

(NGCM) has covered 99% of the country and is likely to be completed by 2020, said GSI’s additional director general and head, Mission II, D Mohan Raj. Considered to be GSI’s most ambitious study, work on NGCM started in 2000 to study element distribution pattern for various uses such as forestry, agriculture and medicine.


Explaining the project, GSI director

Milind Dhakate

said, “Some elements maybe responsible for luxuriant growth of plants and trees, for example sodium, potassium, phosphorus. This will be conveyed to forestry officials and agricultural experts. We are also studying elements hazardous to human beings, such as arsenic. If these elements are more than acceptable quantity, precautionary measures can be taken to avoid contact with humans.”

The project was started not just for economic perspective but also social health, he added. India has been rich in minerals unlike other countries such as China. Hence, a need for carrying a study such as this wasn’t deemed important. But as minerals are nearing depletion, a need was seen to start this project, said Dhakate.

Under Mission 1, the project will be focusing on baseline data generation. Mission 2 will involve natural mineral assessment, followed by fundamental research and geotechnical study. “We can produce seamless maps, of one area to another, so there is no sudden change in distribution pattern. The observations can prove to be base data for any other exploration,” said Dhakate.

The observations will be reported to state departments concerned and stake holders such as public and district administration. “We have covered 3.146lakh million sq km covered in 1/50,000 scale,” Dhakate added.

Another national level project of GSI, National Geophysical Mapping has collected data on magnetism and gravity. In central region, mapping has been completed for 49% of potential area. At present Central Region is carrying out mineral exploration for 12 mineral commodities and two energy resources, which include coal and

geothermal energy

.