West Bengal is poised for a potential mining transformation following significant discoveries by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The Union Ministry of Mines has confirmed the identification of nine promising sites with gold reserves and substantial deposits of critical minerals across the state's southern and western regions.
Mapping the Mineral Wealth: Gold and Rare Earth Elements
In a written reply to Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, the ministry detailed that intensified exploration efforts over the last five years have successfully mapped valuable resources. The focus has been on the Purulia-Bankura belt, part of the Jangal Mahal region, which shares geological similarities with the mineral-rich plateau of Jharkhand.
Most of the identified gold sites are currently in the early G4 (reconnaissance) or G3 (preliminary exploration) stages. The most promising location is the Rudra prospect in Purulia, where GSI has advanced to G3, involving soil and bedrock sampling to assess drilling feasibility.
Beyond gold, the surveys have uncovered significant reserves of rare earth elements (REE), materials crucial for modern electronics, defence systems, and clean energy technologies like EV batteries. In Purulia, G2-level exploration is ongoing, with 14 to 17 rare earth minerals identified. The Kalapathar–Raghudih block alone holds established reserves of roughly 0.67 million tonnes of these critical elements.
Scale of Resources and Exploration Push
According to official estimates, West Bengal holds approximately 12.83 million tonnes of primary gold ore, primarily located in Purulia. The estimated extractable gold metal content from this ore is about 0.65 tonnes (650 kilograms). While this is considered low-grade compared to major producers like Karnataka, officials assert it holds commercial significance given current high gold prices.
The central government has launched a major exploration drive in the state. Between 2019 and 2024, at least 28 mineral exploration projects were initiated in West Bengal. These projects target a range of commodities including manganese, tungsten, copper, and graphite across districts like Jhargram, West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia, and parts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
Additionally, four apatite (phosphate) blocks in Purulia – Pankridih, Purdaha, Chirugoda, and Mednitanr – have been identified and are being prepared for potential auction.
Political Hurdles and Allegations
Despite these discoveries, the path to commercial mining faces political challenges. The Union Ministry noted that while many mineral blocks across India have been auctioned, West Bengal is "yet to initiate the process" for many of the newly identified sites.
BJP leader Rahul Sinha voiced strong criticism, alleging state government obstruction. He claimed the Trinamool Congress government creates problems in mining projects because there is no opportunity for "cut-money" (a slang term for bribes). Sinha contrasted this with state-run schemes where, he alleged, such practices exist. He asserted that without a positive stance from the state government, progress in mining would remain limited, regardless of the Centre's exploration efforts.
The developments place West Bengal at a crucial juncture, balancing the economic potential of its underground wealth against administrative and political realities. The coming months will be critical in determining if these geological findings can translate into tangible industrial and economic growth for the region.
