Indian Minerals

Yearbook 2011
(Part- II)



50
th
Edition


LATERITE

(ADVANCE RELEASE)






GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES

Indira Bhavan, Civil Lines,
NAGPUR 440 102

PHONE/FAX NO. (0712) 2565471
PBX : (0712) 2562649, 2560544, 2560648
E-MAIL : cme@ibm.gov.in
Website: www.ibm.gov.in



October 2012

51-2
LATERITE
51 Laterite
L
aterite is a residual ferruginous rock
commonly found in tropical regions and has close
genetic association with bauxite. The term laterite was
originally used for highly ferruginous deposits first
observed in Malabar Region of coastal Kerala and
Dakshin Kannad & other parts of Karnataka. It is a
highly weathered material, rich in secondary oxides of
iron, aluminium or both. It is either hard or capable of
hardening on exposure to moisture and drying.
Laterite and bauxite show a tendency to occur
together. Aluminous laterites and ferruginous bauxites
are quite common. The most common impurity in both
is silica. Laterite gradually passes into bauxite with
decrease in iron oxide and increase in aluminium oxide.
The laterite deposits may be described on the basis of
the dominant extractable minerals in it: (i) aluminous
laterite (bauxite), (ii) ferruginous laterite (iron ore),
(iii) manganiferous laterite (manganese ore), (iv)
nickeliferous laterite (nickel ore) and (v) chromiferous
laterite (chrome ore). Laterite with Fe
2
O
3
:Al
2
O
3
ratio
more than one, and SiO
2
:Fe
2
O
3
ratio less than 1.33 is
termed as ferruginous laterite, while that having
Fe
2
O
3
:Al
2
O
3
ratio less than one and SiO
2
:Al
2
O
3
ratio
less than 1.33 is termed as aluminous laterite.
Laterite can be considered as polymetallic ore as it
is not only the essential repository for aluminium, but
also a source of iron, manganese, nickel and chromium.
Furthermore, it is the home for several trace elements
like gallium and vanadium which can be extracted as
by-products.
RESOURCES
In the peninsular India, laterite deposits are the
most important Pleistocene Formations. Laterite
generally occurs as capping on the hills and plateaus
of Madhya Pradesh and in some states of the Deccan
peninsula at altitudes ranging from coastal to 2,000 m
with thickness varying between 20 m and 60 m.
Laterite occurrences are reported from all over the
country. Almost all Indian bauxite deposits are
associated with laterite, except those in Jammu &
Kashmir. So far, systematic resource estimation has
not been carried out for laterite. Some important laterite
deposits are discussed below:
In Andhra Pradesh, occurrences of aluminous
laterite have been reported from Dumkonda hill in the
East Godavari district and Galikonda, Raktakonda,
Katuki, Chittamgundi and Kottavalasa areas in
Visakhapatnam district. Deposits also occur in
Khammam and Ranga Reddy districts.
In Bihar, occurrences of aluminous laterite have
been reported from Mahol and Bhaganda, areas in
Rohtas district. These laterites have analysed Al
2
O
3
-
46.49%, Fe
2
O
3,
-4.61% and TiO
2
-10.30%.
In Chhattisgarh, laterite has been reported from
Bastar, Bilaspur and Surguja districts.
In Goa, GSI has reported aluminous laterite in areas
near Morgim, Consua, Calangute, Camorlin, etc.
In Gujarat, laterite is found in Jamnagar, Bhavnagar,
Kachchh, Sabarkantha, Kheda, Bharuch, Ahmedabad,
Porbandar and Surat districts. The laterite belt in
Kachchh and Jamnagar districts runs to about 250 km
with width varying from a hundred metres to as much
as 3 km and thickness ranging from 2 m to 5 m.
In Jharkhand, laterite occurrences have been
reported in Bagru, Manduapat, Pakharpat, Maidanpat,
Birhnipat and Serandag plateaus in Ranchi district and
Netrahat plateau areas near Jamirapat in Palamau
district. Deposits also occur in Gumla and Lohardaga
districts.
In Karnataka, the principal deposits of bauxite
associated with laterite rocks capping the Deccan lava
flows were reported from Sidh Pahar, Jamboti and Betne
areas and in Mogalgad Plateau, Kasar Sada range of
hills, Kalanandigarh area and Boknur Navge ridge in
Belgaum district. In Sidh Pahar, the massive aluminous
laterite and bauxite covered an area of 90,000 sq m with
thickness varying from 1.6 m to 5 m. GSI has located
aluminous laterite and bauxite at Mudupina Padavu,
Pajir Perna Kuddarka, Kalamanadkuru, Shedde Padaru,
Badaga Mijir, Mudabidri, Sampayee, Belmana, Manipal,
Baindur, Kellingagudda and other localities in Dakshin
Kannad district and near Apsarkond, Honnavar Plateau,
Haldipur-Hebbadkeri, Tadri-Gokarn, Swarnagadde, etc.
in Uttar Kannad district. In Kerala, thick beds of laterite
51-3
LATERITE
rocks are found in the coastal areas.
In Madhya Pradesh, aluminous and ferruginous
laterites are found in the Amarkantak area which was
the largest deposit of bauxite in the State, extending
from Mandla and Shahdol districts in Madhya Pradesh
to Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. Here, bauxite and
laterite occur as tabular & lenticular bodies and in
pockets. Similar occurrences are also found in Katni,
Jabalpur, Rewa and Satna districts.
In Maharashtra, laterite occurrences are reported
from Kolhapur, Satara, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Sindhudurg
and Chandrapur districts.
In Odisha, GSI has reported extensive deposits of
aluminous laterite, ferruginous laterite and bauxite in
Kalahandi and Koraput districts. The thickness of
laterite varies from 1 m to 5 m. Thick cappings of laterite
over 40 sq km are observed in Cuttack and Dhenkanal
districts, Odisha. Systematic sampling of the laterite in
these districts shows fairly high concentration of nickel
in sporadic patches.
In Rajasthan, laterite is reported associated with
ochre deposits.
In Tamil Nadu, laterite is reported from the eastern
part of the Nilgiri Hills, Ootakamand; plateau portion
of the Palani Hills around Kodaikanal in Madurai district;
Shevroy Hills near Yercaud and in parts of the
Kollaimalai Hills in Salem district.
In Uttar Pradesh, laterite containing pockets of
bauxite has been reported from Mirzapur, Banda and
Varanasi districts. Exploratory work in Barela area,
Mirzapur district, has shown laterite analysing 20.23 to
39.61% Al
2
O
3,
12.8 to 33.2% Fe
2
O
3
, 7.56 to 37.03% SiO
2
and 2.01 to 9.3% TiO
2
.
Nickeliferous laterite is reported from Odisha,
Manipur, Tamil Nadu and Andaman Group of Islands.
EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT
In 2010-11, GMDC, Gujarat, conducted geological
mapping & sampling for 6 bauxite deposits in Kachchh
district. In this area, sometimes laterite has also been
encountered as an overburden. DGM, Maharashtra,
carried out exploratory work for bauxite in Ratnagiri
district of Maharashtra. The area wholly comprises
basalt which is overlain by laterite.
In 2010-11, GSI carried out investigation
(G-4) in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of
Maharashtra for bauxite. The 8 m vertical section of the
Nanarwadi laterite quarry exposes 1-1.5 m thick hard &
compact limonitised laterite in the top followed by 4
cm-5 cm thick reddish soil with rare lenses & pockets
of white aluminous laterite. The area comprises laterite
on the surface which exhibits altered vermicular
features. Bauxite occurs as tabular body within thick
laterite cappings in Tantar & Tainchi Blocks, Dindori
district, Madhya Pradesh.
PRODUCTION, STOCKS AND
PRICES
The production of laterite at 1.16 million tonnes in
2010-11 decreased by 11 % as compared to that of the
previous year owing to less market demand.
There were 20 reporting mines during 2010-11
as against 23 in the previous year. Besides, the
production of laterite was reported as associated
mineral by 11 mines in 2010-11. Seven principal
producers accounted for about 84% of the total
production. Fifteen mines, which include 13 mines of
laterite and 2 associate mines each producing more
than 10,000 tonnes annually, accounted for 97% of
the total production during the period under review.
About 21% of the total production was reported from
captive mines in 2010-11 as against 15% in the preceding
year.
Andhra Pradesh was the leading state in laterite
production contributing 54% of the total production,
followed by Gujarat (20%), Karnataka (11%) and Kerala
(8%). The remaining 7% production was from
Jharkhand & Madhya Pradesh.
Gradewise analysis of production in 2010-11
revealed that the bulk of production was of cement
grade, accounting for 95% of the total production.
Four percent production in below 40% Al2O3 grade
was reported from Kerala, Karnataka and Jharkhand.
Nomial production of other grades have been reported
from some states (Tables 1 to 4).
Mine-head stocks of laterite at the end of 2010-11
were 168 thousand tonnes as against 102 thousand
tonnes in the beginning of the year (Tables 5 (A) &
5 (B).
The average daily employment of labour in laterite
mines was 230 in 2010-11 as against 379 in the previ-
ous year. Domestic prices of laterite are furnished in
the General Review on 'Prices'.
51-4
LATERITE
Table-1: Principal Producers of Laterite, 2010-11
Name and address
of producer
Location of mine
State District
S.Lakshmana Reddy
Chinthaluru
East Godawari
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh East Godavari

Sanghi Industries Ltd,
P.O. Motiber - 370 655
Taluka Abdasa
Dist. Kachchh,
Gujarat.
Gujarat Kachchh

S.Soban Babu,
D.No 23-16-25/A,
Lalitha Nagar,
Rajamundry,
East Godavari,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh East Godavari

Kerala Clays & Ceramic
Products Ltd, Pappinisseri,
Kannur-670 561
Kerala.
Kerala Kasargod

Contd.

Table-1 (Concld)
Name and address
of producer
Location of mine
State District
K. Surya Kumari
# 91, Ganesh Krupa,
Vinayak Nagar,
Hinidalga Road,
Belgaum- 591 108,
Karnataka.
Karnataka Belgaum

N. Abdul Aleem,
H. No. 2-1-50
Tandur 501 141,
Ranga Reddy,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh

Ranga Reddy


Syed Salaluddin,
C/o N. Md. Zaheer,
H. No 2-1-50,
Opp. Willam Moon School,
Hyderabad Road,
Tandur-501 141,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh Ranga Reddy

Table-2 : Production of Laterite, 2008-09 to 2010-11(P)
(By States)
(Quantity in tonnes; value in ` '000)
State
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

India 1237393 162442 1300772 177376 1158192 120886

Andhra Pradesh

528692 52571 596318 60449 630702 63144
Gujarat

259767 21104 184840 8343 234547 7284
Jharkhand

4869 752 5084 667 1220 183
Karnataka

108628 36527 203378 69711 130300 17108
Kerala

77327 21410 69171 15322 89665 28466
Madhya Pradesh

94779 6659 133080 7269 71758 4701
Maharashtra

163331 23419 108901 15615 - -

(Contd.)
51-5
LATERITE
Table- 3(A) : Gradewise Production of Laterite, 2009-10
(By Sectors, States and Districts)
(Quantity in tonnes; value in `'000)
State / District
No. of
mines
For use in alumina
& aluminium
extraction,
Production
by Grades : Al
2
O
3
Content
For use in other than
alumina & aluminium
extraction
Total
Below
40%
40-45% Cement Chemical Refractory Others Quantity Value
India 23(14) 43853 51500 1179419 700 200 25100 1300772 177376
Public Sector 2 - - 52849 - - - 52849 12580
Private Sector 21(14) 43853 51500 1126570 700 200 25100 1247923 164796
Andhra Pradesh 7(1) - - 596318 - - - 596318 60449
East Godavari 2(1) - - 449771 - - - 449771 53054
Khammam 1 - - 100 - - - 100 15
Ranga Reddy 4 - - 146447 - - - 146447 7380
Gujarat 2 - - 184740 - - 100 184840 8343
Kachchh 1 - - 184740 - - - 184740 8313
Porbandar 1 - - - - - 100 100 30
Jharkhand (2) 5084 - - - - - 5084 667
Gumla (1) 1063 - - - - - 1063 64
Lohardaga (1) 4021 - - - - - 4021 603
Karnataka 3 10778 51500 115200 700 200 25000 203378 69711
Belgaum 3 10778 51500 115200 700 200 25000 203378 69711
Kerala 4(1) 23800 - 45371 - - - 69171 15322
Alapuzha 1 15650 - - - - - 15650 2942
Kannur 2 8150 - 992 - - - 9142 1372
Kasaragod 1 - - 43447 - - - 43447 10775
Thiruvananthapuram (1) - - 932 - - - 932 233
Madhya Pradesh 4(10) 4191 - 128889 - - - 133080 7269
Jabalpur 2 - - 213 - - - 213 30
Katni (1) - - 12897 - - - 12897 1032
Rewa (1) - - 37800 - - - 37800 1512
Satna 2(8) 4191 - 77979 - - - 82170 4695
Maharashtra 2 - - 108901 - - - 108901 15615
Chandrapur 2 - - 108901 - - - 108901 15615
Rajasthan 1 - - - - - - - -
Chittorgarh* 1 - - - - - - - -

*Reported production of ochre only.
Figures in parentheses indicate number of associated mines.
51-6
LATERITE

Table- 3(B) : Gradewise Production of Laterite 2010-11(P)
(By Sectors, States and Districts)
(Quantity in tonnes; value in `000)
State/District
No. of
mines
For use in
alumina &
aluminium
extraction,
by grades :Al
2
O
3
content
For use in other than alumina &
aluminium extraction
Total
Below
40%
40-
45%
Cement Chemical Refractory Others Quantity Value
India 20(11) 49314 6200 1101310 1168 150 50 1158192 120886
Public sector 2(1) - - 65036 - - - 65036 19691
Private sector 18(10) 49314 6200 1036274 1168 150 50 1093156 101195
Andhra Pradesh 8(1) - - 630702 - - - 630702 63144
East Godavari 2(1) - - 479240 - - - 479240 56318
Khammam 1 - - 1853 - - - 1853 278
Ranga Reddy 5 - - 149609 - - - 149609 6548
Gujarat 2 - - 234497 - - 50 234547 7284
Kachchh 1 - - 234497 - - - 234497 7269
Porbandar 1 - - - - - 50 50 15
Jharkhand (1) 1220 - - - - - 1220 183
Lohardaga (1) 1220 - - - - - 1220 183
Karnataka 3 15800 6200 107250 900 150 - 130300 17108
Belgaum 3 15800 6200 107250 900 150 - 130300 17108
Kerala 3(1) 32294 - 57103 268 - - 89665 28466
Alapuzha 1 22000 - - - - - 22000 7034
Kannur 1 10294 - - - - - 10294 3037
Kasargod 1 - - 57082 - - - 57082 18324
Thiruvananthapuram (1) - - 21 268 - - 289 71
Madhya Pradesh 3(8) - - 71758 - - - 71758 4701
Jabalpur 1(1) - - 23680 - - - 23680 1184
Rewa (1) - - 6200 - - - 6200 248
Satna 2(5) - - 41018 - - - 41018 3226
Shahdol (1) - - 860 - - - 860 43
Rajasthan 1 - - - - - - - -
Chittorgarh* 1 - - - - - - - -

* Reported production of ochre only
Figures in parenthesis indicate number of associated mines.

51-7
LATERITE
Table- 5(B) : Mine-head Stocks of Laterite at the end of the year 2010-11(P)
(By States / Grades)
(In tonnes)
State
For use in alumina &
aluminium extraction:
Al
2
O
3
content
For use in other than alumina & aluminium
metal extraction
Total

Below -40% 40-45% Chemical Cement Refractory Abrasive
India 7427 665 84 155402 48 4030 167656
Andhra Pradesh - - - 56668 - - 56668
Gujarat - - - 1696 - 4030 5726
Jharkhand 19 - - 117 - - 136
Karnataka 4354 665 84 8092 48 - 13243
Kerala 1834 - - - - - 1834
Madhya Pradesh 1220 - - 88744 - - 89964
Tamil Nadu - - - 85 - - 85


Figures in parentheses indicate number of associated mines.
Table-4 : Production of Laterite, 2009-10 & 2010-11(P)
(By Frequency Groups)
(Qty in tonnes)
Production
group
No. of mines
Production for
the group
Percentage in
total production Cumulative Percentage
2009-10 2010-11 2009-10 2010-11 2009-10 2010-11 2009-10 2010-11
Total 23(14) 20(11) 1300772 1158192 100.00 100.00
Up to 1000 6(3) 3(5) 3237 2834 0.25 0.24 0.25 0.24
1001-2000 (2) 1(2) 2141 4579 0.16 0.40 0.41 0.64
2001-5000 1(3) 1(1) 14732 6112 1.13 0.53 1.54 1.17
5001-10000 3(1) 2(1) 35078 23044 2.70 1.99 4.24 3.16
10001-50000 7(5) 8(2) 287017 247484 22.07 21.37 26.31 24.53
50001 & above 6 5 958567 874139 73.69 75.47 100.00 100.00

Table- 5(A) : Mine-head Stocks of Laterite at the beginning of the year 2010-11
(By States/Grades)
(In tonnes)
State
For use in alumina &
aluminium extraction
Al
2
O
3
Content
For use in other than alumina & aluminium
metal extraction
Total

Below 40% 40 45% Chemical Cement Refractory Others

India 5540 1387 633 83565 18

11008 102151
Andhra Pradesh - - - 4996 - - 4996
Gujarat - - - - - 11008 11008
Jharkhand 113 - - - - - 113
Karnataka 3780 1387 84 9647 18 - 14916
Kerala 427 - - 1131 -

- 1558
Madhya Pradesh 1220 - 549 67460 -

- 69229
Maharashtra - - - 246 - - 246

Tamil Nadu - - - 85 - - 85

51-8
LATERITE
Table 6: Specifications of Laterite Consumed
in Different Cement Plants
(In Percent age)
USES & SPECIFICATIONS
The compact and ferruginous variety of laterite is
used widely as a road metal and as a local stone for
culverts and buildings. It cannot withstand heavy
pressure and as such it is used for construction of
light structures, partition walls, boundary walls, etc.
Laterite as a building stone possesses one advantage
that it is soft when quarried and can be easily cut and
dressed into blocks and bricks which on exposure to
air become hard.
The industrial use of laterite is in the
cement industry. It is used as an additive for lowering
the clinkerisation temperature and supplementing
aluminous and iron contents required in the
manufacture of cement. R&D on use of laterite for
removal of fluoride from contaminated drinking water
is being investigated. It is also reported that laterite is
capable of removal of phosphorus from solutions and
percolating columns of laterite remove cadmium,
chromium and lead to very low concentrations.
Specifications of laterite for cement industry are given
in Table - 6
ACC Ltd, 36- 45
Wadi Cement Works,
District Gulbarga,
Karnat aka.
Anj ani Port l and Cement 20- 40
Ltd, Anj ani puram,
District Nalgonda,
Andhra Pradesh.
Birla Cement Works, 1 7 5 0 1 8
Chanderia,
Di st ri ct Chi t t orgarh,
Raj ast han.
Bi rl a Corporat i on Lt d, 2 6 3 7 1 7
P.O. Birla Vikas,
District Satna,
Madhya Pradesh.
Cement Corporation of India, > 22 > 40
Tandur,
District Ranga Reddy,
Andhra Pradesh.
The India Cements Ltd, 22- 37 22- 36 21- 30
Chilamkur,
District Cuddapah,
Andhra Pradesh.
The India Cements Ltd, 12- 18 45- 50 12- 18
Vishnupuram, Wadapally
District Nalgonda,
Andhra Pradesh.
The India Cements Ltd, 12- 15 40- 43
Mal kapur,
District Ranga Reddy,
Andhra Pradesh.
Heidelberg Cements 5- 8 42- 47
(Di amond Cement s)
P. O. Narsingarh
Di st ri ct Damoh
Madhya Pradesh
Jaypee Rewa Cement, 15( mi n. ) 30( mi n. ) 10- 12
Jaypee Nagar,
District Rewa,
Madhya Pradesh.
J. K. Cement Works, 10- 15 40- 55 12- 27
Nimbahera and Mangrol,
Di st ri ct Chi t t orgarh,
Raj ast han.
Kakatiya Cement & Sugar
Industries, 40- 45 9 1 0
Di st ri ct Kri shna,
Andhra Pradesh.
J. K. Cement Works,
P. O. Gotan, Dist. Nagaur,
Raj ast han - >50 -
Keerthi Industries Ltd, 25. 52 31. 05 30. 54
Mellacheruvu,
District Nalgonda,
Andhra Pradesh.
Kesoram Cement , 35- 38
P. O. Basant nagar,
District Karimnagar,
Andhra Pradesh.
The KCP Lt d, 45- 55
Macherl a,
District Guntur,
Andhra Pradesh.
Madras Cements Ltd, 1 2
Kumarasamy, Raja Nagar ( max. )
District Krishna, Andhra Pradesh.
Mai har Cement , (Uni t -2) >45 < 18
P.O. Sarla Nagar,
Mai har
District Satna,
Madhya Pradesh.
Pl ant Al
2
O
3
Fe
2
O
3
SiO
2
Pl ant Al
2
O
3
Fe
2
O
3
SiO
2
(Contd.) (Contd.)
Table - 6 (Contd.)
51-9
LATERITE
Pl ant Al
2
O
3
Fe
2
O
3
SiO
2 Pl ant Al
2
O
3
Fe
2
O
3
SiO
2
Table - 6 (Contd.) Table - 6 (Concld.)
(Contd.)
Malabar Cements Ltd. 3 8 3 0 1 0
Walayar, District Palakkad,
Keral a.
Mani kgarh Cement , >25 >30
Gadchandur,
District Chandrapur,
Mahar asht r a.
Mancheri al Cement
Company (P) Lt d, 32- 40 16- 22
Mancheri al ,
District Adilabad,
Andhra Pradesh.
Ori ent Cement , 22-35 27- 45
Devapur Cement Works,
District Adilabad,
Andhra Pradesh.
Panyam Cement s & 24- 42 10- 14
Mineral Industries Ltd,
Cement Nagar,
Di st ri ct Kurnool ,
Andhra Pradesh.
Penna Cement Ind. Ltd, 3 5 3 0 1 4
Ganeshpahad, Dist. Nalgonda,
Andhra Pradesh.
Penna Cement Ind. Ltd, 3 8
Boyareddypalli
Di st ri ct Anant apur
Andhra Pradesh
Penna Cement Ind. Ltd, 4 2 2 5 1 4
Vill. Talaricheruvu,
Di st . Anant apur,
Andhra Pradesh.
Rajashree Cements, 2 0 4 4 1 9
Malkhed Road,
District Gulbarga
Karnat aka.
Rain Commodities Ltd, 35( mi n. )
District Nalgonda, Ramapuram,
Andhra Pradesh.
Sanghi Cement 15- 20 18- 25 25- 30
Sanghipuram, Kachchh,
Gujarat.
Satna Cement Works, 2 6 3 7 1 7
Ghurdang,
District Satna,
Madhya Pradesh.
Shree Cements, 70- 94
Beawar,
District Ajmer,
Raj ast han.
Shri Durga Cement Company 3 6 3 4 6
Ltd, Hesla, Ramgarh Cantt;
Ramgarh, Jharkhand.
Ul t ra Tech Cement Lt d. 2 1 4 2 1 9
Adityanagar, Malkhed Road,
Gulberga, Karnataka
Ul t ra Tech Cement Lt d. 6 8 5 8 12- 14
(Uni t -Vi kram Cement Works)
Vill. Khor, Kheda Rathore, etc.
Teh. Jewad, Neemuch,
Madhra Pradesh
Sri Vishnu Cement Ltd, 3642 18- 22
Dondapadu,
District Nalgonda,
Andhra Pradesh
Toshal i Cement s Pvt . Lt d, 1 0 8 1 0
District Koraput, Ampavalli,
Orissa.
Vasavadat t a Cement , 5 5 < 30
Sedam,
District Gulbarga,
Karnat aka.
Vikram Cement, 58 (mi n) 12- 14
Vikram Nagar, Khor,
Di st ri ct Neemuch,
Madhya Pradesh.
Zuari Cement, 16- 24 24- 39 28- 35
Krishna Nagar
District Cuddapah,
Andhra Pradesh.
Zuari Cement Ltd, 35- 42 20- 22
Sitapuram, P. O. Dondapadu
District Nalgonda.
Andhra Pradesh
Source - Individual plants
CONSUMPTION
Laterite is used as an additive in cement
i ndust ry. The est i mat ed i ndust ri al end-use
consumption of laterite in 2008-09, 2009-10 and
2010-11 was approximately 3.01 million tonnes,
3.61 million tonnes and 3.24 million tonnes,
r espect i vel y. Ot her consumi ng sect ors are
building construction and road metal.
51-10
LATERITE
FUTURE OUTLOOK
Though vast resources of laterite are available
in India, systematic exploration and estimation
of resources need to be taken up. There seems to
be no major change in the end-use pattern of
l at eri t e. The consumpt i on of cement has
increaseddue to its increased demand in the country.
In future, laterite could be used as a source of
metallic minerals like iron, aluminium, chromite and
of trace elements like gallium and vanadium.