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Bhutan
– Mines
Out of the country’s total
geographical area of 38,394 square kilometres, most of the country’s areas have
been geologically mapped. However only about 6500 square kilometres have been
geologically mapped in the scale of 1:50,000 systemically. In the course of
geological mapping, a host of metallic and industrial minerals have been
discovered.
The mineral industry of
Bhutan was small in scale relative to its main economic sector (agriculture and
forestry), and was not a significant contributor to the country’s economy. The
country produced cement, coal, ferrosilicon (exported), iron ore, and
industrial minerals used for construction. In 2013, iron ore production
increased by 448% to 20,505 metric tons (t) from 3,741 t in 2012; limestone
production, by 49% to more than 1 million metric tons (Mt) from 677,128 t;
dolomite production, by 16% to 1.74 Mt from about 1.5 Mt; and gypsum production,
by 12%. Production decreases were reported for talc (40%), coal (21%), and
stone (11%). Data on mineral production are in table below :
Production
of Mineral Commodities
(Metric
Tons (mt) unless otherwise specified)
|
Commodity
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
|
Cement (1000 mt)
|
180
|
200
|
544
|
521
|
500
|
|
Coal,
Bituminious
|
48,545
|
87,814
|
1,08,904
|
98,731
|
77,743
|
|
Dolomite
|
10,28,993
|
11,92,374
|
10,82,300
|
14,99,534
|
17,40,015
|
|
Ferro
Silicon
|
90,798
|
97,528
|
96,711
|
1,07,819
|
1,10,000
|
|
Granite
(Square Meters)
|
217
|
18,731
|
462
|
1,806
|
1,800
|
|
Gypsum
|
2,99,735
|
3,44,034
|
3,52,233
|
3,13,172
|
3,51,420
|
|
Iron
Ore, gross weight
|
|
-
|
-
|
3,741
|
20,505
|
|
Lime
Stone
|
59,027
|
7,15,956
|
6,49,291
|
6,77,128
|
10,06,234
|
|
Marble
|
31
|
-
|
71,582
|
59,541
|
60,708
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Quartzite
|
82,578
|
1,04,580
|
95,015
|
88,630
|
90,909
|
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Slate
(Square
Meters)
|
1,765
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Stone
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4,75,614
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7,16,760
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18,42,678
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14,94,467
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13,35,030
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Talc
|
64,381
|
26,302
|
8,562
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16,062
|
9,584
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Status
of Mineral Resources in the Country
|
Mineral
|
Location
|
Reserve (in million
tonnes) & Grades
|
|
Copper
Ore
|
Gongkhola
in Black Mountain area, Zhemgang Dzongkhag
|
2.5
inferred, with 1.5% Cu
|
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Lead-Zinc
Ore
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In
Genekha area, Thimphu Dzongkhag
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3.116
in Chakula – Proved
0.514
in Romegong Ri – Probable
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Tungsten
Ore
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Dholpani
and Bhurkhola , Gelephu Dungkhag
|
0.45
estimated down to 30 m depth in Dholpani .
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Coal
|
Deothang
and Bangtar, S/Jongkhar Dzongkhag
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Reserve
very tentative
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Dolomite
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All
along the foothill of Southern Bhutan.
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Very
huge reserve. Proved reserve will be rendered by DGM as and when required
|
|
Graphite
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Khepchishi
(above 3992 m altitude) Paro, Dzongkhag
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23.53
proved by drilling.
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Gypsum
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Khothakpa
and Uri Chu, Pemagatshel Dzongkhag
|
56.45
proved (in Khothakpa);
13.60
estimated (in Uri Chu and Khar). Remaining reserve much less, mining going on
|
|
Limestone
|
Pagli
– Titi ,
Gholtey area, Gelephu Dungkhag
Kanamakra,
Gelephu Dungkhag
Korungri
and Kerungri, S/Jongkhar Dzongkhag
|
Reserve
almost exhausted by PCAL Reserve being assessed
Huge
Reserve of high grade Limestone Huge reserve of cement grade limestone
|
|
Marble
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Khanku
(Paro Dzongkhag)
In
northern region of Bhutan such as, Haa Wangtsa, Chaylaila, Paro, Jemina
Thimphu Sha Bhel Wangdiphodrang, Hasilo and Pangpeysa Paro and Bunakha,
Chukha Dzongkhag
|
12.44
proved. 29.59 Probable.
Reserve
not proven
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Slate
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Bhel
(Bonsegeoma) and Kobja areas both in Wangdiphodrang Dzongkhag
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16
million cubic meters.
A large portion is already extracted for
roofing purposes in Bhutan
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Talc
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All
in foothill belts in SW Bhutan
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Reserve
not assessed properly, because the deposit is very erratic and patchy in
nature
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Ferrosilicon
Grade
Quartzite
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Quartzite
in Shumar Formation
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Reserve
not assessed systematically
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The
mining sector has long been an important catalyst to the economic growth of the
country in terms of revenue and employment generation. A host of minerals have
been mined in the country till date.
Major minerals currently
mined are dolomite, limestone, gypsum, marble, coal, talc, quartzite and
various types of construction stones. All the mines in the country are operated
using opencast mining technique and the current land coverage by mining
activities is 0.033 % of the total area of the country.
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