Minerals Reserves in Himachal Pradesh :

Himachal Pradesh is the only State in the Indian Union to have a working rock salt mine. The slate and building materials are also important minerals of the state. In the foot hill areas, despite having natural gas in Palaeogene -Neogene strata, exploration by drilling has not so far brought out encouraging results. In the Tethys Himalayan zone problems are much more severe due to poor logistics, inaccessibility and limited period of working owing to adverse climatic conditions.Himachal Pradesh has been endowed by nature with some important minerals such as-Limestone, dolomite, marble, gypsum, rocksalt, barite, magnesite, Silica, sand and slate. Some other minerals which have also been reported are : nickel,lead, pyrite, cobalt, zinc, silver, coal and antimony.

i. Limestone :

Limestone is a calcareous sedimentary rock composed of mineral calcite (CaCO3) which upon calcination yields lime (CaO) for commercial use. Cement and Iron & Steel industries are the major consumers of limestone . It is also consumed in chemical industries like calcium carbide, bleaching powder, soda-ash, precipitated calcium carbonate, etc.Limestone is found in abundance in Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, Chamba, Mandi and Kullu. To exploit this natural resource fully for the benefit of the states economy three cement plants have been set up i.e. Barmana (Bilaspur district), Rajban (Sirmaur) and Darlaghat (in Solan district).

ii. Rocksalt :

Mandi is the only district in India from where rock salt is extracted. Rock salt is mined in Gumma and Darang areas of the district. These salt mines are contradled by the Government of India. Rock Salt has been extracted since long in Mandi hills at two locations namely Drang and Gumma. These mines were transferred to M/s Hindustan Salts Ltd. in 1963, after acquiring these from erstwhile Mandi State by Govt. of India. Mandi Salt belt extends from Mandi to Jogindernagar and even further but three places viz.Megal, Drang and Gumma where Salt is known to occur, lie along N.H.-20.

iii. Slate :

Slate is a fine grained, hard, compact, cleavable rock derived from microcrystalline metamorphic rocks of clays and shale and possesses a cleavage that permits it to split readily into thin smooth sheets. The thin layers split along the cleavage planes may cut across bedding planes. The metamorphism of shale by pressure produce slates which are characterized by the presence of close-set planes of cleavage along which they can be split easily into thin sheets. There are over 270 slate quarries in Himachal Pradesh. Slate is used for roofing houses in the rural areas. Slate mines are located in the state in the districts -Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi. In the recent past State Pollution Control Board has initiated action against state quarries under the pollution control act. High court has also issued order for immediate closer of slate quarrying units. That is why quarrying in the state has reduced substantially.

iv. Mineral Water :

Mineral water of Kalath near Manali in Kullu district has been found quite useful. It contains sodium, magnesium, calcium chloride, sulphates, phosphates, iron and carbon dioxide.

v. Gypsum :

This mineral has been reported from Kuthar in Solan district. Bathari in Chamba district and parts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts.

vi. Silica Sand :

Deposits to the tune of 2.5 million tonnes have been envisaged up to a depth of one metres, by the Geological Wing Department of Industries, Himachal Pradesh , in the Bathri, Gardhala & Padhauri Khads of the Una District. The reserve in long run may prove to be much more because of the replenishment of boulders by seasonal high water Khads. Silica Sand used construction material are found in Pakera, Haroti, Homa and Baturi Khads of Una district, Nihari, Chenab and along Satluj valley of Bilaspur district, along Giri river in Sirmaur district and along the Satluj river in Shimla and Kinnaur district.

vii. Dolomite:

Dolomite is mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates, found in Kothipura and Panjota blocks of Bilaspur districts and Nalagarh area of Solan district.

viii. Barite:

Occurs in the Kanti-Mishwa-Tatyana-Dhrlal-Pipli and Tiler Dhar areas of Sirmaur district. Naldera area of Shimla district and parts of Mandi district. The barytes deposits in Sirmour district is usually associated with Krol limestone and appear to have formed by the process of replacement. The mineral occur in either pure form of admixed with dolomite of the Krol Formation. In the Jogar- ka- Khala however it is associated with Balaini Boulder beds.

Some other minerals also found in the state are:-

Mineral                               District

1. Pyrite                    Chamba and Shimla

2. Iron ore               Kangra, Kullu and Mandi

3. Copper               Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, & Kinnaur

4. Cobalt, Nickel     Silver Kullu.

5. Antimony            Lahaul-Spiti

6. Coal                    Kangra, Mandi and Solan

7. Mica                    Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu

8. Gold                   Sirmaur

About 37 minerals are reported in Himachal Pradesh and except for limestone, baryte, shale, rock salt, silica sand, magnesite, gypsum , quartzite, slate , building stone, bajri & sand, other minerals have  great importance in economy of state.