Treasure in NSMDC report points to gold, platinum in state

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, April 4 (EMN): There is a possibility of deposits of precious metals such as gold and platinum groups in southeast Nagaland i.e., Phek, Kiphire, and Tuensang besides rich deposits of varieties of decorative and dimensional stones and other associated metals such as zinc and molybdenum.

This was stated in the annual administrative report of the Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (NSMDC) for 2017-18.
Nagaland is located in the extreme east of the country sharing about 192 km international border with Myanmar. It is placed in a strategic location and richly endowed with a variety of minerals.

The main established mineral reserves as contained in report stated that petroleum and natural gas with an estimated reserve of 600 million tonnes on the northwest along Nagaland-Assam border.

Coal with an inferred reserve of 317 million tonnes in the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Wokha, Longleng and Mokokchung, an inferred reserve of 1000 million tonnes of limestone and marble and 5 million tonnes of proved reserve of magnetite with nickel, cobalt and chromium.
Hence, the government desires t exploit the rich minerals to enhance the economic status of the state with a view to uplift the living condition of the rural people where rich mineral deposits are available stated the report.
NSMDC works for the development of minerals to open avenues for future generation and claimed that in places where its projects have taken root, at least road connectivity has been established and other development activities are also being taken up.

The report further maintained that with the initiative of NSMDC, more than INR 70 crore (excluding state share) worth of work have been brought under different centrally sponsored schemes to facilitate mineral exploration and exploitation.
Decorative and dimensional stone plants
These two plants were set up under NEC sponsorship during the Ninth Five Year Plan and during the Tenth Five Year Plan, additional requirements were revised costing INR 192.14 lakh where machineries were procured and the project completed during 2006-07.
The NSDMC proposed to upgrade the two units by installing additional machinery having a higher production capacity such as ‘Gang Saw’ and procuring additional mining machinery for quarry. The report stated that an amount of INR 370.00 lakh was provided during 2014-17 under Negotiated Loan from HUDCO and under State Plan where the upgradation works are in progress.
Link roads to mineral deposits areas
Construction of three link roads to mineral deposit areas in Moke, Satuza and Nimi has already been approved by the ministry of Development of Northeast Region as part of the NLCPR at the approved cost of INR 2653.91 lakh. The report stated that INR 2602.89 lakh (90%) by the ministry and 10% by the state’s government had been released in three instalments so far, leaving a balance of INR 52.02 lakh. While 80% of the work had been completed till date as claimed in the report, NSDMC stated that it had already applied for cost enhancement and approval was being awaited to complete the three roads.
Construction of bridges
The ministry has already approved two bridges across Tizu River (100M Span) and Chizute River (24M Span) in the Nimi-Laluri mineral link road at the total approved cost of INR 2053.93 lakh as on Dec. 23 2010.
The timeframe for completion of the project is 24 months from the date of issue of the sanction order. INR 2013.75 lakh (90%) by the ministry and10% by the state’s government have already been released in three instalments. The report stated further that an approved escalated amount of INR 2071.79 lakh of the state plan had been released in 2016-17 and 2017-18.