Minerals in J&K

The mineral extraction in Jammu and Kashmir is contributing a lot in the revenue of Union Territory. Although the Jammu region of the Union Territory is having a rich potential in tourism sector if compared to the Kashmir valley but the lesser known fact is that the region also caters as many as 72 main mineral based registered and established units across. The News Now in news story has mentioned that there is a wide scope of Mineral Resources in Jammu and Kashmir and the important minerals being extracted from various districts are Limestone, Gypsum, Dolomite, Quartzite, besides building stones like, Slate, Marble and Granite. In total, Jammu and Kashmir have 110 major and minor mineral based units, which are registered, adding, “out of these 110 units, 72 are in Jammu Province and 38 in Kashmir Province.” In Jammu Province, 37 units are manufacturing cement including 13 in Jammu District, 15 in Kathua, nine in Udhampur and 22 units are manufacturing Plaster of Paris comprising 15 in Jammu, one in Kathua, five in Udhampur and one in Poonch.
The Lime Kiln units in Jammu are six comprising four registered in Jammu, one each in Kathua and Udhampur while marble processing units are only one in Jammu while six Calcium carbide units are also established and all are in Jammu district. The Geology and Mining Department has played a vital role in overall economical development of Jammu and Kashmir by providing various mineral deposits having enabled the Government in granting of various Mining Leases and Prospecting Licenses. The department has contributed a lot in Government exchequer by providing huge revenue of the Major as well as Minor Mineral wealth of J&K. The Kashmir Province as well, there are 11 Portland cement units and two in Ladakh region, whereas plaster of Paris manufacturing units are 10, Lime Kiln nine and marble processing units are six. Limestone is the highly produced mineral (6081 million tonnes) and is produced in all districts of Kashmir valley, in Leh and Kargil, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region, they said. An official said that Gypsum is produced in Baramulla, Kathua, Ramban and Doda, Marble in Kupwara, Kargil and Leh, Granite in Kargil, Leh, Ganderbal. Baramulla, Poonch and Doda, Bauxite in Udhampur and Ramban, Coal in Udhampur, (Kalakote) Rajouri, Lignite in Nichome, Handwara, Kupwara, Magnesite in Udhampur, Slates in Poonch, Kathua, Doda and Baramulla, Quartzite in Anantnag, Baramulla and Kupwara, Borax in Pugwa valley, Leh, Dolomite in Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, China Clay in Doda and Udhampur and Graphite in Baramulla. Blue Sapphire is one of the precious stones and is world famous found in Paddar area of Kishtwar district. The World Famous Blue Sapphire of Paddar outshines even diamond and is considered the best across the globe. If government focus more on mineral extraction it will contribute majority of revenue.