Metallic Minerals in Rajasthan :

Rajasthan is the richest State in terms of availability and variety of minerals in the country. The State is blessed with 81 varieties of minerals, of which 57 are being commercially exploited. The State has virtual monopoly in the production of minerals like Lead, Zinc, Silver, Gypsum, Soapstone, Ball Clay, Calcite, Rock Phosphate, Feldspar, Kaolin, Copper, Jasper, Wollastonite, etc.

Mining is not only a major source of employment in the rural and tribal areas of the State, but also a major source of revenue to the Government, playing an important role in the development of the State.

Copper: In the State copper deposits are located in the districts of Jhunhunu, Sikar, Sirohi, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Dungarpur. With resources of 809.09 million tonnes, the State possesses substantial share of 54% of the total resources of country. The State is the second leading producer of copper concentrate contributing 41% of the nation’s output.

Gold : A total of 118.88 million tonnes of Gold ore resources were estimated in the State including 105.81 million tonnes resources of Bhukhia-Jagpura-Delwarabelt (Banswara) with 0.50gm/t cut-off grade. Gold was also proved along with Copper in Dhani-Basri area of Dausa district, Khera-Mundiawas area of Alwar district and Dokan area of Sikar district. Beside above, gold is also extracted as by product in Khetri Copper-Belt (district Jhunjhunu).

Iron : The Iron-Ore Deposits are located in the district of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Bhilwara, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa and Banswara. About 2621 million tones resources of Iron–Ore (Both Hematite & Magnetite) are estimated in the State. The important localities of Iron-Ore are Morija- Neemala (Jaipur), Lalsot (Dausa), Rampura, Dabla (Sikar), Taonda (Jhunjhunu), Pur-Banera, Bigod (Bhilwara), Nathara-Ki-Pal, Thur (Udaipur), Indergarh, Mohanpura (Bundi), Dedrauli, Liloti, Todupura, Khora (Karauli). 

Lead, zinc and silver : Rajasthan is endowed with the largest lead-zinc ore deposit having resources of 629.92 million tonnes. The important lead-zinc-silver deposits in the State are located at Zawar (Udaipur), Rajpura-Dariba-Bethumi, Sindesar Kalan-Sindesar Khurd (Rajsamand), Rampura-Agucha and Pur-Banera (Bhilwara), Dehri (Sirohi) and Kayer–Ghugra, Sawar (Ajmer). The Country enjoys self-sufficiency in respect of Zinc.

Manganese : In Rajasthan Manganese deposits mainly occurs in the districts of Banswara where it is confined to a belt extending from Guraria to Rathimuri over a distance of 22 Km. The main deposits are located at Sivania, Kala-Khunta, Ghatia, Lilwani, Itala, Tambeshra and Kheria. Small deposits of manganese are also located near village Negadia (Rajsamand), Choti-Sar, Badi-Sar (Udaipur). A total of 5.78 million tonnes resources of Manganese have been estimated in the State. 

Tungsten : Tungsten is a metal of strategic importance. The chief source of Tungsten are wolframite [(Fe,Mn,)WO4], and scheelite (CaWO4). The State has about 23.92 million tonnes resources of tungsten ore which is about 27% of total country’s resources. Important deposits occur near Degana, district Nagaur & near Balda and Uduwaria, district Sirohi. Degana & Balda were the only operative mines producing meager quantities of concentrate. However, owing to economic non viability they have been closed down.

Rajasthan was the sole producer of garnet (gem) till 2004-05. Almost entire production of  silver in the country comes from Rajasthan.

The State possesses substantial share of the total resources of potash (94%), lead & zinc ore (89%), wollastonite (88%), silver ore (88%), gypsum (82%), ochre (81%), bentonite (75%), fuller's earth (74%), diatomite (72%), feldspar (66%), marble (63%), asbestos (61%), copper ore (54%), calcite (50%), talc/steatite/soapstone (49%), ball clay (38%), rock phosphate (31%), fluorite (29%), and tungsten (27%). The State contributed about 12% to the total value of mineral production in the country and occupied second position among the States in 2014-15. It was the sole producer of lead and zinc ores and concentrate, selenite and wollastonite. Almost entire production of silver in the country was also reported from the State during 2014-15.