Bihar may soon enter India’s rare minerals race after the state government announced the discovery of several valuable mineral elements, including cobalt, pallium, titanium and glauconite. State Mines and Geology Minister Pramod Kumar said commercial mining activity could begin in the near future as the Centre prepares to auction multiple identified mineral blocks, a NBT report stated.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the minister said the Union government has identified 14 blocks linked to critical and rare minerals, and their auction process is expected to begin shortly. He said the list includes palladium, titanium, glauonite, cobalt and other key minerals.
The announcement has drawn attention because many of these minerals are used in advanced technology products, defence systems and electric vehicles.
Cobalt found in Banka
According to the minister, cobalt deposits have been identified in Bihar’s Banka district. He said the block linked to the mineral will also be auctioned soon.
Apart from cobalt, the government is also studying copper reserves in the Pindark region of Banka district. Officials are currently assessing whether commercial mining in the area would be financially viable.
Bhagalpur region shows signs of rare earth elements
The Bateshwarsthan area in Bhagalpur district has shown strong indications of rare earth elements, commonly known as REE. Authorities have also indicated the possibility of chromite deposits in the district.
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 naturally occurring metallic elements that play a major role in modern technology. These materials are widely used in missiles, radar systems, fighter aircraft, drones, military communication devices, electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, television screens, speakers, camera lenses and hard drives.
Gold in Jamui
The minister said preliminary signs of gold deposits have also been detected in the Sono region of Jamui district. Geological surveys are still underway in the area, and officials are waiting for detailed assessment reports before taking any further steps.
He added that copper reserves have been located in the Pindarakh belt of Banka district. Authorities are currently carrying out technical and economic studies to determine whether large-scale mining operations can be launched there.
Interestingly, the possibility of major gold reserves in Jamui is not new. A 2021 report by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had earlier indicated that nearly 44% of India’s estimated gold resources may lie in the Sono and Karmatia regions of the district. The findings had triggered widespread attention at the time, with Bihar emerging as a potential new hotspot in the country’s mineral map.
The issue was later discussed in Parliament during the 2021 winter session. Then Union minister for mines, coal and parliamentary affairs Pralhad Joshi referred to the GSI findings while replying to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Old local stories fuelled gold rumours
Long before official surveys began, villages around the Karmatia hills had stories linked to traces of gold in the region. Local residents claim that in 1981, some villagers came across glittering stone fragments while digging soil near the hills. According to accounts from the area, the stones were later washed in a nearby river and sold in local markets.
As speculation around hidden gold deposits grew, the Union government reportedly stepped in the following year. In 1982, the area was declared protected, and restrictions were imposed on digging and excavation activities to prevent unregulated exploration.
Why these minerals matter
Though rare earth elements are found across the Earth’s surface, economically usable concentrated reserves are relatively uncommon. The group includes lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium.
The Centre is also preparing to auction one mining block containing vanadium-bearing magnetite and ilmenite in Nawada district, along with three glauconite blocks in Rohtas district.
Auction process to begin soon
Public sector firm MSTC Limited has invited mining bids for the identified blocks, and the auction process is expected to begin after May 20.
The minister said extensive mineral exploration work is currently underway across several parts of Bihar, especially in southern districts bordering Jharkhand. He said the exercise includes aerial surveys, satellite imaging, analysis of old geological records and field-level studies.
He also revealed that signs of gold reserves have emerged in the Sono region of Jamui district. Surveys are still in progress and officials are waiting for the final report.
(Inputs from NBT)
