Krishna P. Kaphle
Krishna P. Kaphle
Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal Email:[email protected]
Iron ore occurrences, prospects and few potential deposits are known from 91 localities in 32 districts of Nepal. Only few of them appeared interesting for further detail exploration. The main ores are hematite, magnetite, oolitic ironstone, limonite/goethite and rarely siderite. Existing old workings (pits, adits, tunnels) and scattered slag are the solid proof of very small scale domestic mining activities and smelting of the ore using primitive furnaces. Such operations were based on some of these ore deposits since historic time (>200 years BP) till 1964. In those early days people were fully dependent on indigenous production and Nepal was also exporting iron and copper to Tibet. After 1964 neither old-workings nor new mines are in operation in spite of tremendous increasing demand of iron and steel in the country.
Geological investigations of the known iron ore mineralization and their assessment revealed that there are mainly four types of iron mineralization in Nepal. Out of these, sedimentary hematite and metamorphosed specular hematite+magnetite type ore deposits are the most common. Most of the known prospects/deposits, except Phulchoki, are of slightly lower in grade (40 – 56 % Fe). As a result, they are not feasible for mining at this stage and have remained unexploited. However, some of these ores can be upgraded (up to 62 % Fe) by simple beneiciation technique and then they can be roasted to make sponge iron or produce cast/ pig iron, wrought iron and steel by smelting the ore. Iron and steel industries use these iron to manufacture various products.
Iron being one of the principal metal, extensively used in all types of civil construction works, housing, infrastructure development works like dames, bridges, hydropower plants, irrigation structures and to manufacture heavy machinery equipment, arms, mechanical and agricultural tools, steel frameworks, furniture, utensils, various types of iron and steel products.Hematite and limonite are also used in pigments, red/ yellow ocher and polishing powder. Present annual demand of iron and steels is around 500,000mt and the trend is increasing with an average rate of 15%. Therefore, it is high time to utilize these valuable resources to promote iron and steel industries in Nepal.
Some of the iron ore deposits like Phulchoki (10.67 mln. mt.), Thoshe (15.96 mln. mt.), Labdikhola (7.5 mln.
mt.), Jirbang (1 mln. mt.), Dhauwadi – Pokhari - Durlung (>65 mln.mt.), Bhedikhor - Ransing (>15 mln.mt.), Lukurban – Dhiri (>12 mln.mt.) etc. are well explored by Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) and some private sectors and conirmed them as economic/sub-economic deposits. Quite a few other iron prospects are known from Taplejung, Okhaldhunga, Dolakha, Makwanpur, Dhadhing, Tanahu, Chitwan, Palpa, Baglung, Gulmi, Parbat, Myagdi, Rolpa, Rukum, Surkhet, Jajarkot, Achham, Bajhang and Baitadi districts. But all these deposits/prospects still remained unexploited because of poor or no infrastructures, complex geology, contradiction in few clauses of Mines and Mineral Act 2042 BS with Forest Act 2049 BS and Local Governance Act 2055 BS, which makes mining activities more complicated for the lease holders. Exploration of iron ore in the Higher Himalayan region has not yet been
performed although chances of inding of some magnetite deposits are high.
Individual Nepalese citizen and national or foreign company formally registered in Nepal and interested in mineral exploration and mining activities can obtain Prospecting/Mining license from DMG under Nepalese Government's existing Rules and Regulations. Few national and foreign companies have shown their interest to invest in iron mine and set up iron and steel industries. As of DMG record, about 40 prospecting licenses and 2 mining licenses for iron have been issued in FY 2013/14. Identiication and utilization of own natural resources like iron ore for the beneit of the country will not only generate employment, save foreign currency to import iron required for iron and steel industries and rolling mills in the countrybut also contribute substantially in national GDP. Therefore, Nepal Government must give high priority and invite national and foreign investment to exploit and utilize such valuable natural resources of the country to promote its own iron and steel industries.
This paper is based on author’s own ield observations, laboratory (chemical and mineralogical) investigations and
preliminary beneiciation and metallurgical testing of the ore as well as literature review and personal communications with some previous workers.
Journal of Nepal Geological Society, 2015, Vol. 48 (Sp. Issue)