tamil ndu limestone final

REPORT ON LIMESTONE DEPOSITS & LIMESTONE MINING LEASES IN TAMILNADU, DISTRICT / TALUK WISE.

- S.Vaithianathan, Geologist

Limestone deposits are fairly common in India. The majority of the captive limestone deposits presently being exploited by the cement manufacturer are of sedimentary origin (65% of the present exploited quantity). The other deposits are metamorphosed crystalline limestone deposit.

In this report, we would like to present the status of the limestone resources available in Tamilnadu by District / Taluk wise.

However a brief scenario of the nation wide status of the limestone resource is herewith presented.

1.0 ZONEWISE CEMENT GRADE LIMESTONE RESERVES IN INDIA

It can be observed from the chart, the South and West of zone of our country contributes the major limestone reserves i.e. about 68% of the total limestone reserve of our country.

Total reserves (In million tones)Zone North 6570.19East 4662.84West 15547.87South 31875.16Total 58656.06

Prepared by: S.Vaithianathan, Geologist of 14

2.0 SOUTHZONE CEMENT GRADE LIMESTONE RESERVES :

In the southern zone among the four states namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala, it can be observed from the chart that the two adjacent states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka together contain more than 55% of the total available limestone resource in the country.

Limestone deposits of Southern region – Based Geological sequence

Limestone Reserve distribution in the Southern Region

Total reserves (In million tones)StateAndhra Pradesh 20035.40Karnataka 11289.06Kerala 24.60Tamilnadu 472.00

* Andaman Nicobar Islands: 54.10 million tones


3.0 Limestone Occurrence in Tamilnadu:Geographical and stratigraphical distribution of Limestone Belts in TamilnaduPresent Strategy and future scope:

In Tamilnadu the limestone deposits showing a wide distribution in space and time. The natural logical course would be to describe the limestone deposit in the geological sequence in which they have formed. So this would help in bringing out stratigraphical, litho logical and structural controls and may also be of use in prospecting.

3.1 Archaean Group:

Nature of the deposit: The crystalline limestone of Archaean are relatively coarse grained and contain greater proportions of silicates than the sedimentary rocks. The carbonate occurs in the form of large crystals. Because of complex mineralogy and texture beneficiation is often necessary for Archaean limestone

District wise Distribution:

The limestone of this group being the oldest formation, are of highly metamorphosed. In Tamilnadu, metamorphic limestone bands are seen in the following districts.


Sl.No. District Prominent Area Major cement unit based on the deposit.

1. Tirunelveli & Ramayyanpatty and Talaiyuthu India cements, Virudunagar Madras cements

2. Ramanathapuram: Pandalkudi, Palavanattam & India cementVirudunagar Alangulam Madras cement

3. Madurai: Kullampatti, Dholipatti, Chettinad cementKarur Muthampatti,Gajilampatti, Tancem

Devarmalai, Ayyampalayam Indiacement

4. Coimbatore: Madukarai and Etimadai ACC

5. Salem: Sankaraidurg, Malapalayam and India cementErode pudupalayam

6. Trichy: Thatchnkurichi & Kalpalayam Nil

3.2 Cretaceous group:

Nature of the deposit:

The sedimentary limestone of cretaceous group is relatively coarse grained to fine grained. The carbonate occurs in the form of massive coral limestone, loose mar and bedded limestone. Because of flat deposition and less complex mineralogy and texture the sedimentary deposit is named as simple deposit.

The sedimentary limestone deposit occurrence in reported mainly in Trichy & Perambalur district of Tamilnadu.

Sl.No. District Prominent Area Major cement unit based on the deposit.

1. Trichy Kallakkudi, Kovandakurichi, Melarasur Dalmia cement

2. Perambalur Ariyalur and surroundings TANCEM,DalmiaSendurai surroundings ICL,MCL,Grasim

District wise details of limestone area under the mining lease hold of Major cement units as well other entrepreneurs as small mine owners is enclosed as AnnexureNo. 1

.

3.3 Districtwise / Talukwise limestone occurrence in Tamilnadu

3.3.1 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN TIRUNELVELI DIST.:


The Ramayyanpatti-Talayuthu deposit forms the most important in Tirunelveli district forming the crest of a major cross-folded isoclinal antiform. Ramayanpatti block carries highgrade material with calcite and the Talayuthu block limestone frequently intercalated with quatizite.

Refer Plate No. 1

In the Tirunelveli district, important deposits of limestone are of crystalline or metamorphic origin found in the following taluks. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the respective taluks is also given below

Sl.No Taluk Limestone area under Mining Lease (in Hectares)

1. Tirunelveli 499.4552. Ambasamudram 12.9103. SankaranKovil 7.383 4. Radhapuram 302.8855. Nanguneri 10.9426. Sivagiri 25.6397. Vickramasingapuram 4.460

Out of the total Limestone area under Mining lease in Tirunelveli Dist. The area under the Mining lease by

a. Major cement units 296.980 Ha.b. Others 264.420 Ha.

3.3.2 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN TUTICORIN DIST.


In the kovilpatty Taluk, good quality grade limestone is found only near Silvalarpatti , Kalaippaipatti, Mayilodai, Usilangulam and Nagalapuram. Other occurrence found in this area is found suitable only for lime burning Tufaceous limestone and kankar are found in parts of sathankulam. Shell limestones are found at a number of places along the coast and mainly at kudankulam.

In an investigation of shell limestone near Tisaiyanvilai, Tiruchandur and at Karikoil by Dept. of Geology & mining of Tamilnadu reported reserves of cement grade limestone.

In the Tuticorin district, important deposits of limestone are of crystalline or metamorphic origin found in the following taluks. A vast extent of tufaceous / kankar deposit is also found in sathankulam and kudankulam areas. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the respective taluks is also given below


1 Kovilpatti 1.8252 Sathankulam 103.5003. Vilathikulam 106.8604. Pungavaranatham 150.160 – Sivalarpatti MCL

Limestone area under Mining lease in Tuticorin Dist. by


3.3.3 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN VIRUDHUNAGAR DIST.


In this district crystalline limestone suitable for cement manufacturing occur in Pandalkudi and Palavanattam area of Aruppukottai taluk around Alangulam and Kallamanaickanpalayam in Sattur taluk. The limestone Aruppukottai taluk is of high grade and the Cao is about 53%, the Alangulam deposit is of cement grade. In this district M/s. Madras cements are operating the major limestone bearing areas.

Other than the crystalline limestone, off the coast also there area number of coral islands carrying high grade coral limestone.

In the Virudhunagar district, important deposits of limestone are of crystalline or metamorphic origin found in the following taluks. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the respective taluks is also given below


1 Aruppukottai 544.2852 Sathur 298.9803. Sivakri 10.3004. Sivakasi 4.2705. Thiruchuli 3.885

Limestone area under Mining lease in Virudunagar Dist. by


3.3.4 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN MADURAI & DINDIGUL DIST.:


In Madurai & Dindigul district good crystalline limestone are found in Thiurmangalam and madurai taluk. Important occurrences are at Poovadi, Sunnampur, and Nattam. Crystalline limestone have also been reported from southern high flanks of the Palani hills. These are very low magnesia limestone and the Cao ranges between 39% to 49%.

In Nattam area dolomitic limestone are found near Pusaripatti and Between Eliyar patti and Nedumadurai tufaceous limestone are found.

Kankar deposit of large quantities occurs near Sevakanurani, Usilampatti. It is being locally used for lime burning.

In the Dindigul district, important deposits of limestone are of crystalline or metamorphic origin found in the following taluks. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the respective taluks is also given below


1 Nattam 137.3252 Vedasanthur 152.9803. Nilakottai 2.730

Limestone area under Mining lease in Madurai & Dindigul Dist. by


3.3.5 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN COIMBATORE DISTRICT


In this district an extensive deposit of pink & grey crystalline limestone found near Madukkarai and the foothills of arrange of hills to the North West of Madukkarai. The limestone is being utilized by the ACC Madukkarai work for cement manufacturing.

In the hills of West Madukkarai three limestone bands ranging thickness from 6 to 10meters have been reported.

1. South of the hill2. South West of the hill3. South South East of the hill

Other than the crystalline limestone, important deposits of kankar are also found in 1. West of Alandurai village.2. SSW of Toppampalayam village.3. W of the Vadikkipalayam villageThe kankar deposit contains 34 to 46% of Cao but the Mgo content is rather high.

3.3.6 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN KARUR DISTRICT

In Karur, Kulithalai taluks of this district crystalline limestone occur between Karur-Dindigul. Important occurrences are between Gajilampatti


and Kullampatti, between Dholipatti and Devarmalai and between Devarmalai and Aiyampalayam. The inferred reserves of these areas is about 94 million tones. This is now being worked by M/s. Chettinad Cements.

In the Karur district, important deposits of limestone are of crystalline or metamorphic origin found in the following taluks. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the respective taluks is also given below


1 Kulithalai 242.8952 Aravakuirhi 7.8003. Karur 4.560

Limestone area under Mining lease in Karur Dist. by


3.3.7 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN NAMAKKAL DISTRICT

In Namakkal district the important occurrence of crystalline limestone are found in Namakkal & Thiruchengodu taluks. Though, generally the deposit is of cement grade some portion of them are of very high grade.

The most important deposits are found in

1. Pallakapalayam2. Thiruchengodu – Namakkal road3. Between Solapalayam and Kattupalayam


In the Namakkal district, important deposits of limestone are of crystalline or metamorphic origin found in the following taluks. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the respective taluks is also given below


1 Thiruchengodu 125.9792 Namakkal 22.518 3. Sankari 1.700

Limestone area under Mining lease in Namakkal Dist. by

a. Major cement units NIL.b. Others 151.47 Ha.

3.3.8 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN SALEM DISTRICT

In Salem district the most important occurrence of crystalline limestone is found on in Sankari Taluk. Generally the deposit is of cement grade, however some portion of them are of chemical and flux grade. The limestone of these area are being operated M/s India cements.

In the Salem district, important deposits of limestone are of crystalline or metamorphic origin found in the following taluks. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the Sankari taluk is also given below

Taluk Limestone area under Mining Lease (in Hectares)


Sankari 561.400

Limestone area under Mining lease in Salem Dist. by

a. Major cement units 296.980b. Others 264.420

3.3.9 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN TRIUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT

In Tiruchirappalli District the most important occurrences of limestone is found in Lalgudi taluk is of sedimentary origin. There are three prominent occurrences 1. Melarasur 2. Kallakudi 3. Kovandakurichi. Out of these three occurrence Kallakudi and Kovandakurichi deposits are being the prominent and mined by M/s. Dalmia cement. The melarasur occurrences are found as small isolated pockets are being worked by small mine owners.

All along the western contact with Archaeans, there are number of small but scattered out crops of reefoidal limestone starting from Olaipadi in the north to Tirupattur in the south. In between coral reefoidal limestones are located at Veppur, Paravai, Pudur, Andur, Maruvathur, Kalpadi, Varagupadi, Karai, Therani, Uttathur, Periakrukkai, Neykulam and Thirupattur. These isolated pockets mostly under the mining leases of small entrepreneurs.

Other than the sedimentary deposit, a metamorphic crystalline limestone occurrence is also reported in the Thatchankurhiy R.F. area and the area was studied and explored by the state dept. of Geology and Mining in the year 1969.

In the Trichy district, important deposits of limestone are of mainly sedimentary origin found in the following taluks. The limestone area covered under mining lease in the following Taluk is also given below



Lalgudi 238.578Musiri 6.210

Limestone area under Mining lease in Trichy Dist. by


3.3.10 LIMESTONE OCCURRENCE IN PERAMBALUR DISTRICT

The Limestone deposits around Ariyalur belong to middle Ariyalur stage. It can be traced for more than 9 Km north - south staring from Chinna srnivasapurm and further south up to Idayathankodi this limestone bed again traced in the south bank of the Marudayar.

The limestone deposits at Sendurai belong to the Niniyur group. The limestone is creamy to dirty white in color. The deposit lie over white sandstone and is 10 m thick as seen in the nalla cuttings and in the well sections. This deposit is presently under active mining operations of M/s ICL and MCL.

In the Perambalur district, important deposits of limestone are of sedimentary origin found in the Kunnam, Ariyalur and Sendurai taluks.


Kunnam 41.920 HaAriyalur 1014.230 Ha


Sendurai 294.495 Ha

Limestone area under Mining lease in Perambalur Dist. by


Reference:

1. Data from various District offices of Geology & Mining and Indian Bureau of Mines, Chennai.

2. Maps of India.com3. Comprehensive Appraisal of Cement Grade Limestone deposits of India –

NCCBM.4. Elements of Mineral Exploration – Indian Bureau of Mines5. India’s Mineral Resouces by Mr. S.Krishnasamy, GSI

Annexure: District and Taluk wise details of Mining leases, extent & ownerships


tamil ndu limestone final

Documents

limestone occurrence

geologist limestone

captive limestone deposits

total limestone reserve

major limestone reserves

crystalline limestone

limestone resources

s o u t h