Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent  unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has a mandate to identify and evaluate mineral  resources of uranium, thorium, niobium, tantalum, beryllium, lithium, zirconium, titanium  and rare earths containing uranium and thorium. AMD has carried out exploration and prospecting for augmentation of uranium oxide resource in a number of prospective  geological domains of the country. As on date, AMD has established 4,33,800 tonnes in-situ  U3O8 resource in 47 uranium deposits located in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand,  Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal  Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Mining of Jaduguda uranium deposit started in 1967 by M/s. Uranium  Corporation of India Limited (UCIL). In recent years, AMD has established 26,437 tonnes  in-situ U-oxide resource at Jaduguda North - Baglasai-Mechua deposit, East Singhbhum  district, Jharkhand; which is towards north of the Jaduguda main ore body and in the area  between Jaduguda and Bhatin mine. The life of the mine is expected to increase substantially  due to this discovery of new deposits.

 

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2153552)