Programmes during the Xth Five Year Plan
Mineral
investigation
It
is proposed to conduct mineral investigation programmes
giving priority to selected minerals such as china clay
(kaolin), Granite (dimension stone), silica sand, tile and
brick clay, gold etc. to establish mineable resource to
facilitate mineral development through mining thereby establishing
mineral based industries.In addition, the following new
schemes are proposed:
Geotechnical
and Environmental Wing
To
conduct detailed studies on seismic- prone areas by geophysical
and geological investigations and also to identify areas
which are susceptible for natural hazards like landslides.
It is also envisaged to conduct geoenvironmental studies
to assess anthropogenic influences such as mining, quarrying,
construction of dams and reservoirs and other engineering
structures.
Project for assessment of clay
resources for catering to the requirement of tile industries
There are more than 400 tile manufacturing factories
and thousands of brick units in the state. This industry
is confronted with depleting good quality of suitable clay
for the manufacturing units. The Department proposes to
undertake detailed assessment of mineable clay resources
that would be available for the sustenance and development
of these industries without detriment to the environment.
Survey
for sand resources for construction purposes
In
the off-coast of Kerala, it is also intended to conduct
a survey for assessing the feasibility of extraction of
sand from the offshore areas as an alternative for river
- sand used for construction purposes. The over-exploitation
of river beds of almost all the rivers in Kerala has resulted
in severe environmental deterioration and hence it is imperative
that alternate sources for sand are located in shortest
possible time.
