Mineral Resources of Uttar Pradesh

The UP state government highlighted that the mineral policy reforms will help Uttar Pradesh achieve its target of becoming a $1 trillion economy. The focus is on enhancing mineral exploration, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and attracting private investment in mining and downstream industries.

Mineral Resources of Uttar Pradesh

Concept of Minerals and Mineral Resources

• A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid substance formed in the Earth’s crust, having a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure. Except for a minor proportion of organic matter, the entire Earth’s crust is composed of minerals. Certain minerals consist of a single element, such as gold, silver, sulphur, and diamond (carbon).
• A mineral resource refers to the concentration or occurrence of a mineral in the Earth’s crust in such form, grade, quantity, and continuity that there are reasonable prospects for its economic extraction in the present or future. Mineral resources form the backbone of industrial development, energy security, infrastructure expansion, and economic growth.

Geological Set-up of Uttar Pradesh

Geomorphologically and geologically, Uttar Pradesh can be divided into two major physiographic units:

• Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plain
  • Covers nearly two-thirds of the state, extending across northern and central Uttar Pradesh.
  • Composed of thick alluvial deposits brought by the Ganga and its tributaries.
  • This region is extremely fertile for agriculture but poor in mineral resources, as alluvium conceals hard rock formations.
• Southern Plateau and Highland Region
  • Comprises the Bundelkhand and Vindhyan plateau regions.
  • Covers about 51,393 sq km along the southern boundary of the state.
  • Dominated by Bundelkhand granites, Vindhyan sandstones, limestones, and shales.
  • This hard-rock terrain hosts almost all mineral deposits of Uttar Pradesh, making it the principal mineral belt of the state.

Spatial Distribution of Mineral Resources

• Mineral resources in Uttar Pradesh are highly localized and mainly concentrated in the Vindhyan mountain range and Bundelkhand region. The state possesses a variety of metallic, non-metallic, and minor minerals, including coal, limestone, bauxite, dolomite, silica sand, china clay, gypsum, rock phosphate, copper, gold, uranium, and diamond.
• Uttar Pradesh holds a nationally significant share of certain strategic minerals:
  • 78% of India’s Andalusite reserves
  • 37% of Diaspore
  • 10% of Pyrophyllite (Indian Minerals Yearbook)

District- wise Distribution of Major Minerals

Major Mineral Resources of Uttar Pradesh

• Limestone: High-grade limestone is found in Gurma, Kanaach, Basahari, and Rohtas (Mirzapur) and Kajrahat (Sonbhadra). These deposits supply Chunar, Churk, and Dalla cement plants. Uttar Pradesh ranks second in India in terms of limestone reserves.
• Coal: Coal occurs in Gondwana formations of Sonbhadra, particularly the Singrauli coalfield. The coal supports Obra Thermal Power Station and Singrauli Super Thermal Power Plant. UP ranks 8th nationally in coal reserves.
• Bauxite: Bauxite, the principal ore of aluminium, is found in Banda, Chandauli, and Lalitpur. Aluminium extraction is carried out at Hindalco’s Renukut plant (Sonbhadra).
• Dolomite: High-grade dolomite from Kajrahat (Sonbhadra) and Banda is used in steelmaking, refractories, cement, and chemical industries.
• Silica Sand (Glass Sand): UP ranks second in India in silica sand production. High-purity glass sand with 98% SiO₂ and very low iron content is obtained from Shankargarh (Prayagraj) and surrounding regions. Estimated reserves exceed 100 million tonnes.
• Rock Phosphate: Approximately 6 million tonnes of rock phosphate (average grade 16%) have been identified in Lalitpur. Mining was undertaken by UPSMDC. Re-assessment is currently being conducted by MECL under NMET.
• Andalusite: Found mainly in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra, andalusite is used in refractories, porcelain, and spark-plug manufacturing.
• Pyrophyllite: Deposits in Jhansi, Lalitpur, Mahoba, and Hamirpur are used in ceramics, heat treatment, and pesticide industries.
• China Clay: China clay deposits in Sonbhadra and Banda support ceramic, paper, and paint industries.
• Diamond: The Banda diamond field is one of India’s most productive. NMDC has reported production of over 810,000 carats, with annual output of about 71,000 carats. Informal mining also contributes significantly.
• Gold: Gold traces occur in Sharda and Ramganga river sands, with promising deposits in Lalitpur and Sonbhadra.
• Copper: The Sonrai belt of Lalitpur hosts copper veins in igneous and sedimentary rocks.
• Uranium: Limited uranium reserves occur in Lalitpur, with grades ranging from 0.01% to 0.09% over a 300-metre belt.
• Gypsum: Found in Jhansi and Hamirpur, gypsum is used in cement, fertiliser, and chemical industries.
• Asbestos: Deposits in Mirzapur and Baragaon (Jhansi) are used in cement products and electrical insulation.

Government Steps and Initiatives in the Mineral Sector of Uttar Pradesh

• Institutional Framework

  • Directorate of Geology and Mining (1955) established for systematic mineral exploration, resource assessment, and promotion of mineral-based industries.

  • Uttar Pradesh State Mineral Development Corporation (1974–2020) developed mineral deposits such as rock phosphate and limestone; post-2020 exploration undertaken by MECL under NMET funding.

• Mineral Policy Reforms

  • Mineral Policy, 1998 granted industry status to mineral development to encourage investment.

  • Mining Policy, 2017 introduced e-auction of mineral blocks, enhanced transparency, anti-corruption measures, and increased royalty targets.

• Transparency and Governance

  • Uttar Pradesh’s mining policy recognised as a benchmark for transparency and technological efficiency.

  • Adoption of digital monitoring systems, online permits, and surveillance mechanisms to improve accountability.

• Mineral Sector in $1 Trillion Economy Vision

  • Mining identified as a key growth sector for achieving Uttar Pradesh’s $1 trillion economy target.

  • Focus on expanding mineral exploration, regulatory strengthening, and promoting downstream mineral-based industries.

• Mineral Block Auctions and Exploration

  • Intensified auction of major mineral blocks across the state.

  • Emphasis on minerals like limestone, bauxite, dolomite, phosphorite, gold, particularly in Sonbhadra and Lalitpur.

• State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) 2025

  • Released by the Ministry of Mines to assess mining governance and ease of doing business.

  • Uttar Pradesh showing gradual improvement, highlighting scope for investment and ecosystem strengthening.

• Curbing Illegal Mining

  • Deployment of AI-based surveillance, drones, and GPS tracking to monitor mining activities.

  • Over 21,000 vehicles blacklisted for illegal mining and mineral transportation.

• Investor Confidence and Future Outlook

  • Increased participation of private players in mineral exploration and mining.

  • Shift towards scientific, sustainable, and technology-driven mining practices.

Challenges in Mineral Development of Uttar Pradesh

• Limited mineral base due to extensive alluvial cover over most of the state, restricting hard-rock mineral availability.
• High regional concentration of minerals in the southern plateau (Sonbhadra–Bundelkhand belt), leading to regional imbalance.
• Inadequate exploration of deep-seated and strategic minerals due to technological and financial constraints.
• Environmental concerns such as land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution in mining areas.
• Illegal mining and transportation, particularly of minor minerals like sand and stone aggregates.
• Infrastructure constraints in mineral-rich districts affecting cost-effective extraction and transport.
• Low value addition and limited presence of downstream mineral-based industries.
• Institutional gaps after the dissolution of UPSMDC, affecting coordinated mineral development.

Way Forward 

• Scientific and technology-driven exploration using GIS, remote sensing, and deep drilling to identify hidden mineral resources.
• Strengthening institutional capacity through collaboration with MECL, GSI, NMET and private players.
• Promotion of value addition and mineral-based industries such as cement, ceramics, aluminium and refractories near mining areas.
• Balanced regional development by integrating mineral extraction with local infrastructure and employment generation.
• Sustainable mining practices, including land reclamation, afforestation, and water management.
• Strict enforcement against illegal mining using AI-based surveillance, drones, and real-time tracking.
• Community participation and social responsibility through DMF funds for health, education and livelihood support.
• Policy stability and ease of doing business to attract long-term private investment.
• Alignment with SDGs, particularly SDG-8 (Decent Work), SDG-9 (Industry), SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption), and SDG-15 (Life on Land).

Conclusion

Minerals and mineral-based products are indispensable for modern industrial society. Although Uttar Pradesh is not among India’s most mineral-rich states, its southern plateau region contains economically and strategically significant mineral resources. With scientific exploration, policy reforms, sustainable mining practices, and institutional strengthening, the mineral sector can play a vital role in industrialisation, employment generation, energy security, and balanced regional development of the state.