Based on rare earths, China dominates the entire world. Taking cover from him, he demands a deal as per his wish. That rare earth treasure has now been found in India. A great treasure of minerals has been discovered in Bihar. Geological investigations carried out between 2021 and 2024 have identified mineral resources worth over Rs 21,000 crore in Rohtas, Jammu, Gaya and Jehanabad in the state. Notably, it contains rare earth elements, minerals like lithium, magnetite, gold, glauconite and vanadium. These are minerals that are required in batteries, steel, defense and other high-tech industries.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Bihar officials estimate that if these resource areas are converted into operational mines, the state could earn over Rs 5,000 crore in mining revenue every year. This state’s current Rs. 3,592 crore will be more than the record mining collection. At present, secondary minerals such as sand and stone account for a large share of Bihar’s mining revenue.

Which minerals are found in Bihar?

Rohtas has the largest share of mineral resources found in Bihar. About 130.11 million tonnes of glauconite has been discovered in Pipradih-Bhurwa and Chutia-Nouhatta blocks. Its estimated cost is Rs 14,048 crore. Potassium can be obtained from glauconite, which is used in making fertilizers. India is heavily dependent on imports for potash fertilizer.

33 to 39.68 million tonnes of high-grade limestone has been identified in the Bhora-Kathara block of Rohtas. Its estimated cost is Rs 1,761 crore. Limestone is used to make cement and quicklime.

Amzor’s pyrite deposit in Rohtas is also important. About 95 percent of India’s known pyrite resources are found here. Pyrite is used in sulfuric acid and other industrial chemical processes.

Large source of magnetite and gold in Jamui

Jammu is also becoming increasingly important on the mineral map of Bihar. The Majos block is estimated to contain around 48.40 million tonnes of magnetite. Its price is Rs. 3,817 crore to Rs. 6,000 crore has been estimated. At the same time, around 6.49 million tonnes of magnetite has been discovered in the Bhanta block, which is said to be worth around Rs 512 crore.

Magnetite is used in the form of iron ore to make steel. This means that commercial exploitation of these resources can boost Bihar’s mineral economy as well as steel related industry.

The gold region of Jamui is also in the limelight due to its gold resources. Here, about 222.88 million tonnes of ore is estimated at 37.6 tonnes of gold. Currently it is not classified as a ‘reserve’ but as a ‘resource’. Preliminary research has been completed and trial production is targeted in 2027-28.

Minerals like rare earths important for China are also found in Bihar

Geological investigations carried out in Gaya and Jehanabad have identified vanadium-rich magnetite, ilmenite, rare earth elements and lithium-rich pegmatite.

Rare earth elements are used in high-tech industries such as electronics, electric vehicles, wind turbines and defense equipment. Lithium is important to the battery industry. Vanadium is used in strengthening steel and energy storage technology.

Ilmenite is the main source of titanium dioxide. This means that this discovery found in Bihar is not limited to conventional mining. Through commercial exploitation of these minerals, the state’s mining economy can also be linked to high-tech and strategic industries.

It is not easy to extract a treasure of 21 thousand crore rupees from the land.

However, finding a mineral in a geological survey and starting its commercial production are two different things. 21,000 crore is estimated based on geological assessment. Now to extract these resources, one has to go through several processes like exploration, drilling, auction, environment clearance, mining plan and lease.

The Geological Survey of India generally conducts mineral exploration at various stages ranging from G4 to G1. Several blocks in Bihar are currently in various stages of exploration and development.

The state is gearing up to start commercial mineral extraction in various projects between 2026 and 2031. Trial production from the Sono gold resource has also been targeted in 2027-28.

Low participation in auctions became the first major challenge

After discovering minerals, the biggest challenge is to attract investors. According to reports, the initial auction of several blocks of glauconite and nickel had to be canceled due to low participation. Prospective miners were reluctant to place large bids based on preliminary exploration data.

It is clear from this that simply estimating the value of mineral resources is not sufficient. Companies also need assurance that extracting that mineral from the ground, processing it and delivering it to market will be economically viable.

Preventing illegal mining is also a major challenge

As exploration of mineral resources increases in Bihar, curbing illegal mining will also be a major challenge. The state has announced plans to create a special ‘mines police force’ with 1,000 members to strengthen security and enforcement in mineral-rich areas.

This means that Bihar has mineral resources estimated to be over Rs 21,000 crore, but to convert these treasures into government revenue and industrial growth, it has to overcome several challenges such as auctioning, investment, technology, land, environmental clearance and illegal mining.