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Corundum Deposits in Chhattisgarh
In Chhattisgarh corundum occurs in
Bhopalpatnam and Sukma areas of Dantewara/Bijapur
distrticts. Minor occurrences are also reported from
Deobhog area of Raipur district. Total 48 tonne of
corundum has been estimated in the State.
1. Kuchnoor
- (80o24'13"
: 18o51'0",
Toposheet no. 65 B/5)
Kuchnoor is situated 2 km. NW of Bhopalpatnam.
Corundum bearing area has been invented in detailed by
D.G.M. and divided into 3 blocks namely Block-I,
Block-II and Block-III. The host rock of corundum in
this area is biotite granite gneisses.
The crystal of corundum found in Block-I are ruby red
in colour with some translucent to faintly transparent
crystals. Corundum granis obtained from Block-II are
opaque, mostly of honey brown, earthy brown, yellowish
or purplish colour. Crystal range is size from a few
mm. to over 3 cm. Corundum recovered from Dobegutta
hill (Block-III) is dark brown with a bit of bluish
tinge and has developed micaceous partings along the
basal pinacoid of the crystal. They are therefore,
more platy as compared to the elongated crystals from
two Blocks. Corundum of Block-II & III are mostly of
industrial variety.
The corundum occurrence in the area is restricted to
only lateral extension.Minieralisation does not
persist in depth. Estimated reserve of Ruby corundum
in Block-I, including industrial and semi-precious
varieties is 98.642 kg. Estimated reserve of
industrial variety corundum in Block-II and Block-III
are 24.0334 tonnes. Additional 5.69 tonnes reserves of
corundum is also proved by directorate in Kuchnoor
area in 1997-99.
Earlier, The State Mining Corporation Ltd was engaged
in the exploitation of corundum in this area.
2. Ulloor -
(80o
22' 15" : 18o
54' 00", Toposheet No. 65 B/5)
Primary and placer both type of corundum reported in
the village Ulloor. Placer corundum is encountered in
Pedakonta nala. Primary corundum found at the depth
of 3.85 m. in biotite granite gneiss. The corundum is
pinkish violet in colour, barrel shaped with perfect
basal pinacoid and hexagonal prism. On the pitting
work 0.0225 tonnes reserves are estimated in the area.
It falls partly in forest and revenue area and partly
in private land.
3. Dampaya area -
(80o 29'
15" : 18o
50' 15", Toposheet No. 65 B/5)
In this area,
pieces of corundum were recovered from nala section.
Corundum is pinkish yellow, translucent, hexagonal
barrel shaped. Country rock of the area is granite
gneiss. It comes under forest area.
4. Dhangal -
The area is situated 10 km.from Madded. Area is
bounded between longitude (80o30'0"
to 80o50'0"
and latitude 18o40'15"
to 18o45'0"
in the Toposheet No. 65 B/9. The corundum recovered is
insitu i.e. from biotite granite gneisses. The
corundum is pinkish violet in colour and characterised
by basal pinacoid prism and striations. Corundum is
translucent and can be placed in semiprecious stone
category.
5. Chikudapalli
- (80o
24' 4" : 18o
52' 00", Toposheet No. 65 B/5)
The area is situated 5 km. due NE of Bhopalpatnam. The blue corundum (Sapphire variety) was
recovered from pits upper soil zone. The corundum is
greyish blue to blue in colour. It is translucent,
columnar shape, having basal pinacoid, hexagonal prism
and characterised by oblique striations.
6. Yapla -
(80o
27' 45" : 18o
51' 45", Toposheet No. 65 B/5)
The corundum is recovered from Gorla nala section
near village Yapla. The corundum is yellowish and pink
in colour. The country rock of the area is granite
gneisss.
7. Sonakukanar,
Sukma area- ( Toposheet No. 65 F/ 10)
Corundum has been reported around villages Sonakukanar
and Nagaras. Here corundum occurs within fuchiste
schist in disseminated form. This fuchiste corundum
schist alligned in a band or strip possibley due to
seggregation of high aluminus horizon. Corundum also
found in the form placer in the area. It is deepred,
pinkish and brown in colour, hexagonal, barrel shaped
and fractured. A possible reserve of 18.00 tonnes of
industrial grade corundum is available in the area.
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