CG set to write glittering chapter as it closes in on first diamond mine

Raipur: Days after its neighbour, Andhra Pradesh, formally inaugurated the country’s first private-sector gold mine at Jonnagiri in Kurnool district, Chhattisgarh’s quest to be home to India’s next diamond-producing state entered a decisive phase on Friday.

This, after the board of NMDC-CMDC Ltd (NCL) approved large-diameter drilling at the Baloda-Belmundi diamond block in Mahasamund district, a critical step that will determine whether the deposit is commercially viable for mining.The decision followed the recovery of five natural diamonds, weighing a total of 1.22 carats, from nearly 200 tonnes of bulk samples processed at NMDC’s panna diamond processing plant, confirming the presence of diamond-bearing kimberlite at the site.Those findings affirmed and established the geological potential of the block, state officials said, adding that the next round of drilling will now determine the size, grade and economic viability of the deposit.If the deposit proves commercially viable, Chhattisgarh could join the ranks of India’s diamond-producing states, where commercial mining has so far largely been centred around the Panna region of Madhya Pradesh, said officers of the mining department, adding that the project is also expected to diversify the state’s mineral portfolio, which has traditionally been dominated by coal and iron ore.

Large-diameter drilling allows geologists to extract substantially bigger samples than conventional exploration, enabling a more accurate estimation of diamond concentration and the commercial potential of the ore body. The findings will form the basis of a detailed feasibility report, which will determine whether the project can proceed to commercial mining, officials added.The Baloda-Belmundi block was identified through stream sediment sampling, geophysical surveys and targeted drilling carried out by NCL.

Officials said all technical activities under the prospecting licence would now be completed within the stipulated timeline before the feasibility study is finalised.NCL, a joint venture between state-run NMDC Ltd and the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC), has so far focused primarily on iron ore mining. The Baloda-Belmundi project marks its first significant venture into diamond exploration and could pave the way for the company to expand as a multi-mineral miner.The board also reviewed the progress of NCL’s major iron ore projects in Bastar.Bailadila Deposit-4 is targeting production of one million tonnes of iron ore during the current financial year, with plans to gradually ramp up capacity to seven million tonnes annually. Development of Bailadila Deposit-13, designed for an annual production capacity of 10 million tonnes, is also progressing well, officials said.CMDC chairman and NCL director Saurabh Singh said the project had the potential to place Chhattisgarh among the country’s leading diamond-producing states if the subsequent exploration confirmed commercially exploitable reserves.Officials said the company would now initiate the approved drilling programme before preparing the feasibility report, the final technical document that will determine whether commercial mining of the Baloda-Belmundi block can begin.