Assam is rich in oil and natural gas.

The story of Assam oil is very old drilling was first started in 1889 at
Digboi. Oil has been discovered in Naharkatiya-Hugrijan areas, namely Dihing valley in 1938, Moranin
1956, Lakwa in 1965, Rudrasagar in 1961, Geleki in 1968, Borholla in 1970, Amguri in 1971, Changpang
in1973, Charali in1974, Demulgaon in 1977, Changmaigaon in 1984, Kuargaon in 1985, Namti in 1986,
and a gas field at Adamtola in 1989. The estimated reserve of oil and natural gas in Naharkatiya-Hugrijan
area is about 45 million tonnes and 210 billion cubic metres respectively. Besides these oil fields, oil is also
located at Borholla, Charali and Demulgaon.
At present there are four refineries located at Digboi, Guwahati, Bongaigaon and Numaligarh are in
operation in the State. The following tables show the production figures of crude oil and natural gas in the
state produced by OIL and ONGC.
Table:Production of crude oil by Oil And OnGC
Year
1980-81
1981-82
1982-83
1983-84
1984-85
1985-86
1986-87
1987-88
1989-90
1990-91
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
Source :

Net production by OIL

(in million metric tonnes)
1.289
3.016
2.809
2.841
2.592
2.592
2.562
2.395
2.636
2.551
2.416
2.359
2.648
2.738
DGM Assam

Net Production by ONGC

(in million metric tonnes)
0.420
1.750
2.136
2.129
2.264
2.264
2.510
2.605
2.835
2.245
2.336
2.344
2.029
2.070

Total Production
(in million metric tonnes)
1.709
4.766
4.945
4.970
4.856
4.856
5.072
5.000
5.471
4.796
4.752
4.703
4.677
4.808

Coal is one of the important mineral resources belonging to the "energy group". Assam coal belongs to
two distinct stratigraphical horizons Tertiary formations and Gondwana formations. The coal is mostly
found in the eastern part of the state. The two important Tertiary coal fields of the state are: (i) Makum
coal field and (ii) Dilli-Jaipur coal field. The Makum coal has four main mines-Namdang, Bargolai, Ledo
and Tipong. The coal reserves in different coal fields of Assam are given in table no. below
Table: Coal reserves in different fields of Assam
Name of coal field

Depth (in
meter)

Reserve
Proved Indicated Infured

Total (in
million
tonnes)

Tertiary Coal Field 1. Makum 2. DilliJaipur 3. Karbi Anglong District

Gondwana Coal Singrimari

0-600 0300 0-300

123-66 50.19 61.81 9.03

14.19 30.80 0.69 - 2.02
2.70 2.79

235.66 54.02
2.71

Total

0-300

133.38 67.17 94.63

295.18

Source: Directorate o Geology and Mining (DGM), Assam

Table: Mine-wise production of coal in Assam
1992 - 93 1993-94 1994-95
Tipong underground

1,53,012

1,55,007 1,47,428

Tirap open cast

6,03,039

5,90,066 6,68,664

Ledo underground

95,179

1,00,258 1,03,212

Bargolai underground 1,18,426

1,27,007 1,27,991

Tikak open cast

1,08,822

2,00,077 1,17,149

Jaipur underground

21, 697

26,235

26,545

Namchic

1,450

Simsong

905

Source : Directorate of Geology and Mining, Assam

Table: Coal Production of Assam
Year

Production
(million meteric tonnes)

1971 - 72 0.577
1972 - 73 0.571
1973 - 74 0.471
1974 - 75 0.526
1976 - 77 0.572
1977 - 78 0.620
1978 - 79 0.622
1979 - 80 0.563
1980 - 81 0.612
1981 - 82 0.703
1982 - 83 0.710
1983 - 84 0.801
1984 - 85 0.812
1985 - 86 0.841
1986 - 87 0.905
1987 - 88 1.001
1988 - 89 0.900
1989 - 90 1.1001

1991 - 92 0.836
1992 - 93 0.951
1993 - 94 1.201
1994 - 95 1.190
1995 - 96 1.078
Sources : Directorate of Geology and Mining, Assam
Besides, coal fields belong to Gondwana formation have been identified in number of small isolated area
such as Koilajan, Sheelveeta, Khumba, Longloi and Daigrung river bed of Karbi Anglong, and Khota Arda
and Dithor in North Cachar Hills district belong to. At Koilajan a thin coal seam has a thickness of
1.80m. But the coal is of the good quality. The total coal reserve of Koilajan and Sheelvetta is estimated
at 2.71 million tones. At Singrimari small amount of coal occurs in the Lower Gondwana rocks.
An estimate made by the GSI states that Assam has coal reserves to the tune of 292.39 million tones,
of which 40 million tones have already been exploited. The table 10.1 shows the coal reserves and
production in Assam. From table 10.3, it is clear that the production of coal has declined during 199496, while it was the highest during the year 1993-94. At the beginning of this century, the production of
coal was only 2 lakh tonnes, which increased to 10. 78 lakh tones during 1995-96.

LIMESTONE
Limestone deposits of Assam are located in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts. Many
limestone beds are interblended with coal-bearing sandstones. The important areas with excessive
limestone eposite in the districts are-Umrangshu in North Cachar Hills district, Koilajan and Dillai Parbat
in Karbi Anglong district.
Table:Limestone production in Assam
Year
1976 - 77
1977- 78
1978 - 79
1979 - 80
1980 - 81
1981 - 82
1982 - 83
1983 - 84
1984 - 85
1985 - 86
1986 - 87
1987 - 88
1988 - 89
1989 - 90
1990 - 91
1991 - 92
1992 - 93
1993 - 94
1994 - 95
1995 - 96

Net production (in

million metric tonnes)
0.0112
0.0021
0.0228
0.0226
0.0229
N.A
N.A
N.A

Binoy Cement (in

million metric tonnes)
0.0145
0.0655
0.0801
0.0509
N.A
N.A
N.A

CCIat Dillai Parbat

metric tonnes)
0.0883
0.0820
0.1414
0.2917
0.2007
0.2702
0.2415
0.2017
0.2092
0.2110
0.2190
0.2339
0.2113
0.2239
0.2119
0.1618
0.1619
N.A
N.A
N.A

Total (in million

metric tonnes)
0.0883
0.0820
0.1414
0.2917
0.2007
0.2702
0.2415
0.2017
0.2092
0.2110
0.2190
0.2339
0.2225
0.2404
0.3001
0.2623
0.2355
0.2812
0.3562
0.4080

Source : DGM, Assam

N.A. indicates not available
Sillimanite
Assam contains the best quality sillimanite deposits. The deposits occur in the banded geneissic complex
of Pre-cambrian age. Two types of sillimanite deposit occurs in the state-. sillimanite and quartzsillimanite. The important areas are mostly concentrated in Karbi Anglong district, namely-Chippilangso,
Ingtigaon, Samelangso, Upper Chelabor, Chailangso and Amterang. At Bumuni in Nagaon district
sillimanite deposit is also found.
Base Metals
The State Directorate of Geology and Mining recorded the base metals in the form of Pyrrhotite
chalcopyrite, and covellite malachite at a number of places. The Pancharatna, Shelvetta, Makum and
Barjuri in Goalpara district are the important areas have pyrite deposits.
Decorative Stone: Building and Road Metals
In Assam, granite and granite gneisses are available which are suitable for use as decorative stone,
building stones and road metals. Decorative stones can be used for manufacture of decorative tiles,
slabs etc. Deposits of granite occur mainly in Lower Assam, Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills
districts and, quartzite in Karbi Anglong and Nagaon districts covering about 3,500 sq. km. area.
Granites occur mainly in Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Kamrup and Nagaon districts of
Lower Assam. Massive sandstones occur in Upper Assam below the coal measures. But, there is no
systematic survey carried out for assessing the metals.
Iron ore
Assam is poor in Iron ore deposits. Iron ore occur in Chandardinga Hills, Langapara and Malaigarh of
Goalpara district and also in Hahim of Kamrup district. Chandardinga has a reserve of 10 million tones in
Archaean complex consisting of amphibolites, banded ferruginous quartzite and micaceous
anthophyllite. The thickness ranges from 30-74 meters. The iron ore mining in the state is not
economically viable. Iron-ore deposits in Assam are presented in the following table.
Table: Total reserve of iron-ore deposit in Assam

Location
Chandardinga
Hills
Hahim
Langapara

Latitude/
Longitude
20 01230N
90 02030E
20 05115N
91 0100E

District

Reserve

Goalpara

26 0355N
90 02850E

Goalpara

10 million
tonnes
Indicated
reserve 0.54
millon tonnes
9 million tonens Banded
Magnetite

Kamrup

Associated
Rocks
Banded
ferruginous
Banded
quartzite

Types of Ore
Quartzite&Haematite
phyllite Magnetite
haematite Haematite
haematite, Haematite
Quartzite Magnetite

CLAY
Various types of clay deposits occur in Assam but these have not been exploited properly. Clay is used
mostly in brick making and cement manufacture. Fire clay deposits occur at Sheelvetta and Koilajan of
Karbi Anglong district. The total reserve is 55,000 tonnes.
Kaolin or china clay occurs in Upper Deopani, Sheelvetta and Silonijan area of Karbi Anglong district. It
is mostly used in the manufacture of porcelain, files, paper and toothpaste etc. The total reserve of
Deopani, Silonijan and Sheelvetta deposits are 0.61 million tonnes, 0.17 million tonnes and 58,000
tones respectively.
Fullers Earth
In Assam, Fullers earth deposit of clayey rock is located on the left bank of river Pagladia at
Subankhata. The total reserve is estimated at 13 million tones.
Glass sand and Quartz
Glass sands suitable for optical use have been reported from Jinkyndeng of Karbi Anglong district, Jiajuri
and Thanajuri of Nagaon district. The total reserves of Jinkyndeng, Jiajuri and Thanajuri deposits are
13,700 tonnes, 7 million tonnes and 1.78 million tones respectively.
Good quality quartz is deposited at Hahim of Kamrup district, Sheelvetta and Rangsali of Karbi Anglong
district. The total reserves of Hahim, Sheelvetta and Rangsali deposits are 20,500 tonnes, 43,000
tonnes and 19,500 tonnes respectively. The deposits of good quality felspar occur at Hahim and
Pancharatna.
Placer Gold
Assam was a producer of placer gold since time immemorial. All the river sands of Assam used to bear
gold in varying quantity. The river Subansiri in Upper Assam was a best producer. The State Directorate
of Geology and Mining carried out geological survey during 1989-90 in Subansiri Gerukamukh,
Hallakhbari and Choudhu area where 18 boreholes were drilled. Out of 18 bore hole samples collected
by the geoscientists of DGM, Assam, 13 indicated the presence of gold.
Lithomerge, Ochre and Mica
Lithomerge of white clay occurs at Nambar Nadi valley. The total reserve of Lithomerge is estimated at
35 lakh tonnes. Ochre occurs in the foothills of Kamrup district. Ochre is yellow earth used mainly for
colouring matter. Small amount of mica occurs in Barigaon in Kamrup district. Near Tin Tilla village on
the bank of Dhir bee (lake), mica is located, but it is not extensive and of no economic value.
Sillica sand
Sillica sand deposits are located at Jiajuri Hills and Thanajuri Hills of Nagaon district. The total reserve at
Jiajuri is 10 million tones, while at Thanajuri the reserve is 1.78 million tonnes. The glass sand can be
used for manufacturing of low-grade glasswares.
IMPACT AND RESPONSE
The environmental impact of mineral resources development covers the whole spectrum of operations
starting from the exploration to the utilization. Extensive mineral resources development activities may
cause certain negative effects on the surrounding environment and thereby easily have major pollution
impact on the surroundings. Coal mining is a major source of pollution in the areas situating nearby the
coalfields. The vast overburden dumps are a major environmental problem while the population suffers
directly from breathing coal dust. The other problems created by open cast and underground mining are
deforestation, loss of topsoil, land degradation, air and water pollution. Open cast coal causes major
scars on nature. Open cast mining in the Margherita area of the state is being opposed by individuals as
well as several other organizations due to its degradational impact on environment. Erosion and gullies
on the duped overburden are clearly visible, leading to further degradation of surrounding land and
forests. The continuous dust thrown up by the blasting and mining operations has started affecting the
surrounding vegetation. The unsystematic and haphazardly oriented coal mining of Makum coal field
adversely affects the surrounding ecosystem.