ECONOMIC PROSPECTS

MINERAL POTENTIAL.

Several mineral deposits are known to exist in this region; but they are not exploited extensively for want of transport facilities and other reasons such as the inferior quality of the mineral deposits. Iron and manganese ores are extensively found at several places in Vengurla and Sawantwadi talukas. The iron deposits at Redi near Vengurla contain about a million tons of iron ore having iron contents of over 58 percent. Likewise manganese ores appear to be occurring almost side by side with iron but its quality is somewhat inferior having an aggregate manganese content of 30 to 40 per cent. Similarly ilmenite ore containing 20 to 25 per cent. titanium dioxide; bauxite deposits containing about 45 to 60 per cent. aluminium content, chromite, mica, silica are found in this region. Continuous efforts are required to upgrade the quality of these ores. Unless they are upgraded they cannot command a good market. Moreover, it is. also necessary to carry out surveys for finding out ores of better qualities.

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