Mineral Resources (Bihar)

Due to the formation of a separate state of Jharkhand, there has been reduction in natural resources in Bihar. Certified reserve of coal in Bihar is nill however, the state has an estimated coal reserve of 16 crore tonnes (160 million tonnes). As per Indian Minerals Year Book 2021, the estimated coal reserves in Bihar is 3464 million tonnes (1 April, 2021).

Due to the formation of a separate state of Jharkhand, there has been reduction in natural resources in Bihar. Certified reserve of coal in Bihar is nill however, the state has an estimated coal reserve of 16 crore tonnes (160 million tonnes). As per Indian Minerals Year Book 2021, the estimated coal reserves in Bihar is 3464 million tonnes (1 April, 2021).

Bihar is the principal holder of country's pyrite resources and possesses 95% of resources. The important mineral occurrences in Bihar are limestone in Kaimur (Bhabhua), Munger (Monghyr) and Rohtas districts, Mica in Nawada district, quartz/silica sand in Bhagalpur, Jamui, Munger and Nalanda districts. Gold deposit are found in Jamui district. Rohtas has the highest deposit of pyrites.

According to Indian Minerals Year Book 2021, Palamu district of Jharkhand has the reserves of the following minerals (i) Barite (ii) Bauxite (iii) Dolomite (iv) Feldspar (v) Graphite (vi) Magnetite iron ore (vii) Quartz (viii) Sterite (ix) Phosphate (x) Andalusite. Thus, among the options, option (a) and (b) can be correct. However, Palamu is particularly famous for magnetite iron ore.

According to 'Indian Minerals year Book 2014', the contribution of Jharkhand in the total mineral production is 9% and Bihar contributes less than 1 percent.

Jharkhand (then a part of Bihar) is the third largest producer of copper. Presently, (after the creation of the state of Jharkhand) there is no production of copper in Bihar.

Coal, Manganese and Iron ore is found in Jharkhand. Petroleum is not found in this state. Therefore, in context to the undivided Bihar (when this question was asked) option (c) is the correct answer. Presently, the minerals found in Bihar are limestone, mica, pyrite, quartzite and steatite.

Bihar is the principal holder of country's pyrite resources and possesses approx 94% of resources. The important mineral occurrences in Bihar are coal in Rajmahal coalfield, Limestone in Kaimur, Mica in Nawada district, quartzite/ silica sand in Bhagalpur, Jamui, Munger and Nalanda districts. Lead-Zinc in Banka and Rohtas districts. Thus option (a) correctly matched.

Iron ore is found in Singhbhum district of Bihar (Now Jharkhand). In context to the undivided Bihar (when this question was asked) the correct option is (d). Iron ore is not produced in present-day Bihar.

Jamui district of Bihar has maximum gold reserves.