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Indian Minerals
Yearbook 2011
(Part- II)
50th Edition
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
(ADVANCE RELEASE)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES
Indira Bhavan, Civil Lines,
NAGPUR – 440 102
PHONE/FAX NO. (0712) 2565471
PBX : (0712) 2562649, 2560544, 2560648
E-MAIL : [email protected]
Website: www.ibm.gov.in
October 2012
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
66 Quartz & Other Silica Minerals
T
he term 'quartz' is often referred to as a synonym
for silica. Silica (SiO2) is one of the ubiquitous
materials in the earth's crust. Quartz, quartz crystals,
quartzite, silica sand, sand (others) and moulding
sand are all coined together in one generic name
'silica minerals'. This is because all these commodities
are essentially crystalline silicon dioxide (SiO2)
with variations mostly related to their crystalline
structure and presence of minor or trace impurities. Silica
occurs in several forms giving rise to different varieties.
Crystalline Varieties
The important varieties of crystalline quartz
are vein quartz (massive crystalline quartz); milky quartz
(white, translucent to opaque); ferruginous
quartz (containing brown limonite and red haematite
and almost opaque); aventurine quartz (containing
glistening flakes of mica or haematite); cat's eye
(opalescent greenish quartz with fibrous structure); rock
crystal (clear, colourless, well-crystallised transparent
quartz); amethyst (clear-purple or violet-blue),
transparent quartz; rose quartz; smoky quartz; etc.
Occurrences of massive crystalline quartz in veins or
pegmatites have been recorded in almost all the states.
Clastic or Granular Varieties
These varieties include sand consisting largely
of unconsolidated quartzose grains (0.06 mm to
2 mm diameter), gravel consisting of largely
unconsolidated coarse quartzose grains or pebbles
(2 mm to 8 mm in diameter), sandstone and quartzite.
The occurrences are reported from Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan,Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh,
etc. The silica sand from Naini area in Allahabad
district, Uttar Pradesh is of a very high quality.
Cryptocrystalline Varieties
This group includes chalcedony, agate, jasper,
onyx, flint and chert. These varieties appear noncrystalline (amorphous) in hand specimens,
but under microscope show double refraction which
reveals their concealed crystalline nature. These
varieties are reported from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab. The most important
occurrences of agate are in Ratnapur, Rajpipla area and
further west between Tapi and Narmada rivers
in Bharuch district, Gujarat, where it is found as pebbles
in varying sizes associated with clay washed down
by the river flow. Other occurrences of economic
importance are reported from Amravati, Aurangabad,
Buldhana, Chandrapur, Nashik and Pune districts
in Maharashtra; beds of Krishna and Godavari rivers
in Andhra Pradesh; Dumka district in Jharkhand;
Dhar, Mandsaur, Sihore and Shahdol districts in
Madhya Pradesh; and Kachchh district in Gujarat.
RESOURCES
As per the UNFC system as on 1.4.2010 , the
total resources of quartz and silica sand in the
country are estimated at 3,499 million tonnes out of
which 12% i.e. 429 million tonnes are placed under
reserves category while 88% i.e. 3,070 million tonnes
are placed under remaining resources category.
Resources by grades reflect foundry & moulding
grade as 19%, glass grade 14%, ceramic & pottery
grade 11% and ferro-silicon grade as 5%. The
unclassified, others, sodium silicate and not-known
grades account for about 51% of the total resources.
Haryana alone accounts for about 52% resources,
followed by Rajasthan (9.5%), Tamil Nadu (6.5%),
Anadhra Pradesh (6%), Maharashtra (5%), Jharkhand
(4.5%) and Karnataka and Gujarat (3% each)
(Table - 1).
The total resources of quartzite in the country
as per the UNFC system as on 1.4.2010(Provisional)
are estimated as 1,251 million tonnes of which
reserves are about 87 million tonnes and remaining
resources are 1,165 million tonnes . Bulk resources
of about 50% are located in Haryana followed by
Bihar (22%), Maharashtra (7%), Punjab (6.5%),
Odisha (5%) and Jharkhand (3%). Resources of
refractory grade are 37%, ceramic & pottery grade
18% and BF grade 5%. The remaining 40%
resources are of low, unclassified, others and notknown grades (Table - 2).
EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT
Exploration for quartz and silica minerals was
conducted by DMG, Rajasthan and DMM, West
Bangal. Details of exploration carried out for
quartz and other silica minerals during 2010-11
are given in Table - 3.
66-2
Table – 1 : Reserves/Resources of Quartz & Silica Sand as on 1.04.2010
(By Grades/States)
(In ’000 tonnes)
Reserves
Grade/State
Proved
STD111
66-3
By States
Andhra Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu & Kashmir
Jharkhand
Karnataka
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Meghalaya
Odisha
Punjab
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal
Figures rounded off.
33,590
141
16,042
1
563
8,677
144
12,356
438
132,135
60,063
8,042
779
STD121 STD122
Total
(A)
Feasibility
STD211
Pre-feasibility
STD221
Measurred
STD222 STD331
Indicated
STD332
Interred Reconnsaissance Total
STD333
STD334
(B)
35,079
121,173
429,223
185,399
322,454
321,760
58,683
259,116
1,907,994
14,402
15,139
96
38
1,554
15,999
7
116
353
1,778
40,524
6,479
1,594
32,111
20,891
13
11,398
2,828
5,333
158,792
11,464
3,254
130,411
83,175
2,425
22,358
7,781
9,564
46,785
9,022
533
12,935
58,339
38,280
11,869
7,634
23,815
16,023
1,490
23,781
36,249
249
62,210
154,593
4,045
51,528
20,409
5,143
59,764
116,140
1,861
14,649
33,209
19,058
2,176
98
7,328
16,984
116
31,982
-
8,707
65,126
146
12,826
38,301
10
25
39,669
94,307
175,356
57,175
31,245
148,729
302,462
3,508
862,023
190,442
137,053
5,922
11
7,672
220
17
560
3,320
684
46
4
3,809
38
11
2,085
69
10,472
9
14,530
-
35,772
2,121
46
19,256
8,317
7
8,671
2,375
14
10,884
860
27,757
93
3,977
1,022
72,683
2,121
187
35,982
8,363
8
9,238
14,861
38
169
25,326
1,367
170,364
60,166
26,549
1,801
16,664
385
17,133
35,553
99
2
12,402
404
51
29,372
1,161
40,583
29,644
1,946
-
6,242
20
5,110
252,759
989
4,970
1,959
15,172
1,503
13,344
4,892
15,482
11
25,109
620
1,736
11,774
182,478
3,299
8,276
3,354
86
48,391
2,599
23,433
7,523
3,071
11
5,404
56
2,144
27,837
518
205
14,611
47
90
3,202
3,387
225
957
-
10,965
2,999
39,767
1,026
100
30,241
316
355
177
63,385
7,658
95,837
6,290
-
65,867
1,790
24,652
191
18,248
25,629
1,264,473
2,928
3,110
141,342
49,508
77,528
2,191
58,374
6,906
3,836
3,927
73,883
27,150
264
51,590
4,607
6,099
7,672
107
525
-
Total
resources
(A+B)
3,069,808 3,499,031
314,289
167,853
38,568
265,362
576,148
5,628
977,523
461,781
262,657
473,082
179,317
41,822
395,773
659,323
8,053
999,881
469,562
272,220
136,349
209,031
1,790
1,790
24,652
26,773
8,924
9,111
20,004
20,004
64,789
100,771
1,802,868 1,811,231
3,027
3,035
3,110
3,110
147,283
156,521
75,987
90,848
128,096
128,135
2,692
2,861
151,663
176,989
7,083
7,083
72,573
73,940
3,927
3,927
162,104
332,468
168,432
228,598
490
490
79,337
105,886
4,629
6,430
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
All India: Total
272,972
By Grades
Glass
103,129
Ferro-silicon
4,889
Sodium silicate
1,622
Ceramic and Pottery
96,746
Foundry and Moulding 46,285
Abrassive
2,405
Others
10,844
Unclassified
4,600
Not-known
2,453
Probable
Remaining resources
Table – 2 : Reserves/Resources of Quartzite as on 1.4.2010
(By Grades/States)
(In '000 tonnes)
Grade/State
Reserves
Proved
STD111
Remaining resources
Probable
Total
(A)
Feasibility
STD211
Pre-feasibility
STD122
59004
1647
25948
86599
33217
105018
147686
Refractory Grade-I
52958
268
21894
75120
4549
626
11470
Refractory Grade-II
1520
406
485
2411
146
461
-
Ceramic / Pottery
558
9
1015
1582
16195
35826
72771
Low
985
-
1000
1985
468
3863
-
-
-
-
169
242
-
1258
1500
-
Ferro-silicon
B.F.
Others
Indicated
STD332
Inferred
STD333
Reconnaissance
STD334
Total
(B)
Total
resources
(A+B)
STD222
93116
113611
669453
2548
1164649
1251248
829
1067
239474
1730
259745
334865
3183
21490
97836
-
123116
125527
-
3599
90702
-
219093
220675
18
37
-
8460
-
12846
14831
692
3034
-
376
-
523
4794
4794
606
809
197
275
62822
295
65004
66504
66-4
1079
907
210
2196
9488
757
2025
588
-
3012
-
15870
18066
Unclassified
163
-
86
249
2203
55769
55479
67347
55674
133095
-
369567
369816
Not-known
1500
58
-
1558
-
6418
2080
20935
31130
34053
-
94616
96174
2114
406
2131
4651
548
1009
7481
-
4390
5209
295
18932
23583
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5270
-
5270
5270
276333
By States
Andhra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
-
32
-
32
146
461
20054
5287
22822
227531
-
276301
1404
-
1267
2671
3086
3926
2195
-
-
14706
-
23913
26584
-
-
-
-
15702
89742
112365
86951
85333
231887
-
621980
621980
25
-
16
41
16
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
57
Jammu & Kashmir
1500
58
-
1558
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1558
Jharkhand
1079
-
174
1253
-
-
-
197
275
38869
-
39341
40594
Karnataka
390
-
1011
1401
-
-
190
-
-
-
1730
1920
3321
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
832
-
832
832
48700
-
19480
68180
9516
28
1639
-
-
11353
-
22536
90716
Odisha
3629
1151
1783
6563
4204
9834
3744
681
-
34851
523
53837
60400
Punjab
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
116
81796
-
81912
81912
163
-
86
249
-
18
18
-
-
706
-
742
991
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
675
16444
-
17119
17119
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Figures rounded off.
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
STD121
All India : Total
By Grades
STD221
Measured
STD331
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 3 : Details of Exploration Activities for Quartz & Quartzite, 2010-11
Agency/
State/
District
QUARTZ
DMM,
West Bangal
Bankura
Location
Area/
Block
Mapping
Scale
Drilling
Area
No. of
(sq km) boreholes
Meterage
Sampling
(No.)
Remarks
Reserves/Resources estimated
Kendua
dihi,
P S Ganga
Jalghatti
1:4545
0.5
-
-
08
Two trenches dugged. Inclusion of
minor quartz veins were noticed.
Resources were not estimated.
DMG
Rajasthan
To n k
N/v Tirodi,
Mandolai
etc.
Tq - Todarai
Singh
1:50000
1:10000
1:2000
115
11.5
1.15
-
-
-
Garnetiferrous mica schist of light
grey to brownish grey, highly
foliated comprising of quartz
were located N/v Tordi.
Rajsamand
N/v Tikhi
Tq - Deogarh
1:10000
20
-
-
17
Pegmatite bands were identified
which is potential for mineral
quartz.
Jiajury
Quartzite
Block Phase II
-
-
9
655
-
Thickness of friable quartzite
vary from 40 to 60 m with 85
to 90% SiO2 . Estimated 320.53
million tonnes of quartzite
resources under measured
category with Av. grade of
88.42% SiO 2 , 0.93% Fe 2 O 3 ,
5.12 % Al2O3, 0.13% CaO and
0.11% of MgO.
QUARTZITE
MECL
Assam
Nagaon
PRODUCTION, STOCK &
PRICES
QUARTZ
The production of quartz at 457 thousand
tonnes in 2010-11 decreased by 13% due to non
availability of enviormental clearance to some
mines. There were 87 reporting mines in 2010-11
as against 92 in preceding year. Besides, the
production of quartz was also reported from
46 mines as an associated mineral as against 49
mines in preceding year. The share of public
sector mines, in the total output was about 2%
d u r i n g t h e y e a r. T h e s h a r e o f 1 0 p r i n c i p a l
producers was about 61% of the total output.
Andhra Pradesh continued to be the major
producing state of quartz in the year 2010-11 also
accounting for 43% of the total production
followed by Rajasthan 25%, Jharkhand 16%
Gujarat 8%, West Bengal 3%, Maharashtra 2%,
and the remaining 3% production was contributed
by Chhasttisgarh, Karnataka, Odisha and TamilNadu. About 56% of the production during the
year 2010-11 was reported by nine mines including
3 associated mines having production above ten
thousand tonnes. Seventeen mines including
three associated mines having annual production
between five thousand to ten thousand tonnes
contributed about 25% of the total production.The
remaining was the contribution of 107 mines
including 40 associated mines having annual
production below five thousand tonnes
(Tables - 4 to 7).
The mine-head stocks of quartz at the end of
the year were 335 thousand tonnes as against
247 thousand tonnes in the beginning of the year
(Table - 8).
The average daily labour employed in quartz
mines in 2010-11 was 972 as against 751 in the
previous year. Domestic prices of quartz are
furnished in the General Review on 'Prices'.
66-5
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table - 4 (Concld.)
Table – 4 : Principal Producers of Quartz
2010-11
Name & address
of producer
Name & address
of producer
Location of mine
State
Shri Ram Minerals Industries,
C/o Goyar Enterprises, Bagda
Bhawan, Opposite Jyoti Petrol
Pump, Road No. 1,
Vishwakarma Industrial Area,
Jaipur - 302 013,
Rajasthan.
Rajasthan
Shri Vijaya Gimpex Mining
Pvt. Ltd., Shriram Chamber
Kamalapuri Colony , Phase III
Hyderabad-500 073,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
*Dolphin Feldspar Pvt. Ltd,
Kot's court, 4 th Floor,
6-3-1239/2/A, Raj Bhawan Rd.,
Somajiguda, Hyderabad,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
*Sandeep Kumar
M/s Vishwa Karma Minerals,
Chandwa, Dist. - Latehar,
Jharkhand.
Jharkhand
Mh. Mahmood Alam,
At - Itkey, P.O.- Barikhap
Dist. - Latehar
Jharkhand.
Jharkhand
Location of mine
State
District
To n k
MahaboobNagar
MahaboobNagar
Latehar
Latehar
(Conctd.)
District
Dilipsingh P.Solanki,
C/O Latesh H. Pandye,
Pattha Talawadi,
Near Hanuman Mandir ,
Godhra-389 001,
Gujarat.
Gujarat
PanchaMahal
V. B. C. Woods
Distillation Pvt. Ltd,
III Floor, Progressive Towers
Kheiratabad,
Hyderabad- 500 004,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Medak
P. V. Ramana Reddy,
Chella Chelimala,
P.O.-Dhone
Dist. - Kurnool
Andhara Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Kurnool
Anandraj Singh,
(Raj Minerals)
8-4-316, Sanath Nagar,
Hyderabad-500 018,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Medak
B. Sanjeeva Reddy,
H.No. 6-200, Rly. Station Rd.,
Betamcherla-518 599
Dist. - Kurnool
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Kurnool
* Associated mines with felspar.
Table – 5 : Production of Quartz, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By States)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
430734
75564
528066
95759
456829
82331
139837
22138
182040
29642
197653
31873
1846
258
384
54
655
92
Gujarat
77400
8031
85343
8764
36837
4782
Jharkhand
39434
5607
68331
13420
72413
7034
Karnataka
17500
1289
275
108
10
3
-
-
-
-
1889
155
15989
3619
12650
2761
10144
2252
India
Andhra Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Odisha
1500
375
1570
257
-
-
120512
23769
154698
29471
114703
22857
Tamil Nadu
10589
9324
6952
7898
7542
9898
West Bengal
6127
1154
15823
3384
14983
3385
Rajasthan
66-6
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 6 : Production of Quartz, 2009-10 & 2010-11
(By Sectors/States/Districts)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State/District
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
92(49)
528066
95759
87(46)
456829
82331
2
5191
6823
2(1)
9375
9439
90(49)
522875
88936
85(45)
447454
72892
2 6 ( 11 )
182040
29642
31(14)
197653
31873
Anantapur
2
15
2
2
65
10
Khammam
1
451
68
2
48
7
Krishna
2
445
67
2
193
29
Kurnool
2
1695
236
4
25333
2661
7(5)
105218
17657
7(6)
103125
17117
Medak
4
40978
6259
4
27250
4689
Nalgonda
1
2600
481
1
2383
441
3(6)
7146
1353
2(8)
17200
3320
Ranga Reddy
1
8
1
3
5134
810
Visakhapatnam
1
8579
1716
1
7199
1354
Vizianagaram
2
14905
1802
3
9723
1435
1
384
54
1
655
92
1
384
54
1
655
92
7
85343
8764
5
36837
4782
7
85343
8764
5
36837
4782
9(3)
68331
13420
9(3)
72413
7034
Deoghar
1
1590
223
1
1925
221
Dumka
1
7527
941
1
5807
900
Hazaribagh
(1)
1174
229
(1)
785
124
Jamtara
(1)
5126
589
(1)
6370
764
Latehar
4(1)
18218
1944
4(1)
51793
4022
Ranchi
1
30
4
1
*
*
Saraikala-Kharsawan
1
20136
6947
1
*
*
Singhbhum (East)
1
14530
2543
1
5733
1003
(1)
275
108
(1)
10
3
(1)
275
108
(1)
10
3
-
-
-
2(1)
1889
155
Balaghat
-
-
-
1(1)
1559
124
Chhatarpur
-
-
-
1
330
31
India
Public sector
Private sector
Andhra Pradesh
Mahaboobnagar
Nellore
Chhattisgarh
Jashpur
Gujarat
Panchamahal
Jharkhand
Karnataka
Bengaluru
Madhya Pradesh
(Conctd.)
66-7
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table - 6 (Concld.)
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State/District
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
Maharashtra
4
12650
2761
4
10144
2252
Bhandara
3
12552
2749
3
10008
2233
Chandrapur
1
98
12
1
136
19
1(1)
1570
257
-
-
-
1(1)
1570
257
-
-
-
33(33)
154698
29471
22(26)
11 4 7 0 3
22857
Ajmer
8(9)
24823
4218
7(12)
18230
3476
Alwar
1
260
52
1
110
22
3(19)
11055
1430
1(13)
4492
630
2
359
90
2
166
42
4(5)
9962
1849
2(1)
2172
198
Sikar
4
4718
743
1
930
233
Sirohi
2
4090
614
2
1396
227
Jaipur
1
7853
1178
1
5545
832
Pali
1
350
140
-
-
-
To n k
6
90213
18980
4
81662
17197
Udaipur
1
1015
177
1
*
*
Tamil Nadu
8
6952
7898
10(1)
7542
9898
Coimbatore
1
1092
218
-
-
-
Dharmapuri
1
230
173
-
-
-
Dindigul
2
632
568
3
141
39
Karur
1
1055
211
1
448
90
Madurai
2
469
301
2
2830
1615
Nammakal
1
3474
6427
1
3455
6981
Salem
-
-
-
3
*
*
Tiruvarur
-
-
-
(1)
668
1173
We s t B e n g a l
3
15823
3384
3
14983
3385
Bankura
1
13305
2795
1
8650
1687
Birbhum
1
1076
301
1
1091
417
Purulia
1
1442
288
1
5242
1281
Odisha
Sundergarh
Rajasthan
Bhilwara
Chittorgarh
Rajsamand
Figures in parentheses indicate number of associated mines of quartz with felspar, mica, silica sand and asbestos.
* Reported labour and/or production of felspar.
66-8
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 7 : Production of Quartz, 2009-10 & 2010-11(P)
(By Frequency Groups)
(Qty in tonnes)
No. of mines
Production for
the group
Production group
Percentage in
total production
Cumulative
percentage
2009-10
2010-11
2009-10
2010-11
2009-10
2010-11
2009-10
2010-11
92 (49)
87 (46)
528066
456829
100.00
100.00
-
-
Up to 500
34 (23)
40 (22)
9552
6426
1.81
1.41
1.81
1.41
501-1000
9 (10)
6 (7)
14220
9656
2.69
2.11
4.50
3.52
1001-5000
29 (12)
21(11)
85862
72480
16.26
15.86
20.76
19.38
10(2)
14( 3)
93162
113549
17.64
24.86
38.40
44.24
10 (2)
6(3)
325270
254718
61.60
55.76
100.00
100.00
All Groups
5001-10000
10001 & above
Figures in parentheses indicate number of associated mines of quartz, felspar, mica, silica sand and asbestos.
Table – 8 : Mine-head Stocks of Quartz
2010-11(P)
(By States)
(In tonnes)
State
At the beginning
of the year
At the end
of the year
India
246785
335347
146018
203375
-
114
Gujarat
3948
3979
Jharkhand
2384
3584
Karnataka
11947
13812
170
9347
5786
2629
584
945
75431
94660
Tamil Nadu
40
2605
West Bengal
477
297
Andhra Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Odisha
Rajasthan
year. Besides, the production of silica sand was also
reported as an associated mineral by four mines
during the year. Ten principal producers accounted
for about 62% of the total production. The share of
public sector in the total production was 4% in
2010-11, same as in the preceding year.
Gujarat was the leading producing state and
accounted for 39% of the total production during
the year, followed by Andhra Pradesh(37%),
Maharashtra (9%), Rajasthan(6%), Uttar Pradesh
(4%), Jharkhand (3%) and Karnataka (1%). The
remaining one percent production was the
contribution of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
About 60% production of silica sand was
contributed by 9 silica sand mines and one
associated mine, each producing more than
50 thousand tonnes annually. About 37% was
contributed by 50 silica sand mines and two
associated mines, each producing five thousand
to fifty thousand tonnes. The remaining 3%
output was contributed by 55 silica sand mines
and one associated mine, each producing less than
5,000 tonnes annually (Tables 9 to 12).
SILICA SAND
The production of silica sand at 3.08 million
tonnes in 2010-11 increased by about 21% over
the previous year due to increase in demand from
cement plants.Gujarat, the major producing state,
reported increase of about 160% in comparison
with the previous year.
During the year under review, there were
114 reporting mines as against 132 in the preceding
Mine-head stocks of silica sand at the end of
2010-11 were 4,996 thousand tonnes as against
of 3,260 thousand tonnes at the beginning of the
year (Table 13).
The average daily employment of labour in
2010-11 was 1,938 as against 2,392 in the previous
year. Domestic prices of silica sand are furnished
in the General Review on 'Prices'.
66-9
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 9 : Principal Producers of Silica Sand
2010-11
Name & address
of producer
Location of mine
State
N. G. Mahida
At & P.O. -Bhilod-393 135,
Dist. Bharuch
Gujarat.
Bharuch
Kumaraswamy
Silica Mines,
Momidi P.O.,
Chillakur - Mandal,
Distt. Nellore,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Nellore
Sanghi Industries Ltd,
Post - Sanghipuram
Dist. Kachchh,
Gujarat-370 511.
Gujarat
Kachchh
Bhavani Minerals
At &P.O. - Bhilod-393 135
Tehsil - Valia,
Dist. Bharuch,
Gujarat.
Gujarat
Bharuch
D. Sundra Rami Reddy
P.O.-Chinthavaram
Dist. Nellore,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Nellore
Name & address
of producer
Location of mine
State
District
Gujarat
Table - 9 (Concld.)
District
Bundi Silica Sand Supply Co.
Kanhaiyalal Ghatiwala,
Rishabh Bhavan, New Colony
Gumanpura,
Dist. Kota - 324 007,
Rajasthan.
Rajasthan
Bundi
Nishita Mines & Minerals
6/160, East Street,
Gudur, Dist. Nellore
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra
Pradesh
Nellore
Y. Janaki Rama Reddy
Village and Post -Varagali
Mandal:-Chillakur,
Dist. Nellore,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Nellore
Mohd. Sher Khan Pathan
S/o Gulbaz Khan
Vill- Banesti
P.O. - Sawa,
Dist. Chittorgarh
Rajasthan.
Rajasthan
Chittorgarh
Southern Silica Mines
7/105, Mitta Palem Street
Gudur, Dist. Nellore,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra
Pradesh
Nellore
(Conctd.)
Table - 10 : Production of Silica Sand, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By States)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2836804
366083
2545988
408559
3081468
342351
1251780
61684
958934
64205
1132270
61541
Gujarat
368720
32025
465530
40569
1210046
80626
Jharkhand
120170
38772
91597
32818
85236
29275
Karnataka
107266
12961
109468
15206
39272
4900
46965
17112
33988
20220
14215
10993
40
5
-
-
-
-
341866
92503
271517
90831
264191
69427
7381
1845
2800
700
-
-
398540
82051
418311
103878
194073
57274
12009
3396
10476
5688
12526
5211
182067
23729
183367
34444
129639
23104
India
Andhra Pradesh
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Odisha
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
66-10
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 11 : Production of Silica Sand, 2009-10 and 2010-11
(By Sectors/States/Districts)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State/District
No. of mines
India
Public sector
Private sector
Quantity
Value
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
132(4)
5
127(4)
2545988
106925
2439063
408559
29883
378676
11 4 ( 4 )
7
107(4)
3081468
129169
2952299
342351
34316
308035
Andhra Pradesh
Kurnool
Nellore
Prakasam
50
5
44
1
958934
3477
948459
6998
64205
673
62972
560
42(1)
3
39(1)
-
11 3 2 2 7 0
2652
1129618
-
61541
423
61118
-
Gujarat
Bharuch
Kachchh
Sabarkantha
Surat
Surendranagar
14(1)
9(1)
1
1
1
2
465530
406026
29615
5651
30
24208
40569
36777
360
1837
4
1591
16(1)
12(1)
1
1
1
1
1210046
992039
194677
4095
105
19130
80626
72393
5815
1353
13
1052
1(1)
1(1)
91597
91597
32818
32818
1(1)
1(1)
85236
85236
29275
29275
20
3
4
8
5
109468
13250
24760
44540
26918
15206
1193
2823
8778
2412
15
4
7
4
39272
3567
18250
17455
4900
393
2792
1715
Kerala
Alappuzha
7
7
33988
33988
20220
20220
6
6
14215
14215
10993
10993
Maharashtra
Ratnagiri
Sindhudurg
15
6
9
271517
11791
259726
90831
3479
87352
13
5
8
264191
27196
236995
69427
5823
63604
Odisha
Sundergarh
1
1
2800
2800
700
700
-
-
-
9(2)
1
4
1
1(1)
1
(1)
1
-
4 1 8 3 11
6088
108025
79977
139591
17764
4030
62836
-
103878
974
16478
39909
36852
3535
790
5340
-
7(1)
1
2
1
1(1)
1
1
194073
6023
4960
99235
76220
2645
4990
57274
829
843
34732
18960
662
1248
4
2
2
10476
3254
7222
5688
3351
2337
6
3
3
12526
3459
9067
5 2 11
3253
1958
11
9
2
183367
177266
6101
34444
33278
1166
8
6
2
129639
122390
7249
23104
22260
844
Jharkhand
Sahibganj
Karnataka
Gulbarga
Haveri
Udupi
Uttar Kannad
Rajasthan
Alwar
Bharatpur
Bundi
Chittorgarh
Dausa
Bikaner
Sikar
Karauli
Sawai Madhopur
Tamil Nadu
Kanchipuram
Villupuram
Uttar Pradesh
Allahabad
Chitrakut
Figures in parentheses indicate number of associated mines with agate, kaolin & quartz.
66-11
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 12 : Production of Silica Sand, 2009-10 & 2010-11 (P)
(By Frequency Groups)
(Qty in tonnes)
No. of mines
Production for
the group
Production group
Percentage in
total production
Cumulative
percentage
2009-10
2010-11
2009-10
2010-11
2009-10
2010-11
2009-10
2010-11
132(4)
11 4 ( 4 )
2545988
3081468
100.00
100.00
-
-
9
18(1)
2165
3223
0.09
0.11
0.09
0.11
All Groups
Up
to
500
501
to 1000
5
6
3743
4826
0.15
0.16
0.24
0.27
1001
to 3000
26
21
53511
38511
2.10
1.25
2.34
1.52
3001
to 5000
18(1)
10
71732
40712
2.82
1.32
5.16
2.84
5001
to 10000 3 2 ( 1 )
14
234386
95634
9.20
3.10
14.36
5.94
10001 to 15000
9
5
110051
61185
4.32
1.99
18.68
7.93
15001 to 25000
12
11
234753
200972
9.22
6.52
27.90
14.45
9
20(2)
324262
777906
12.74
25.24
40.64
39.69
50001 and Above 1 2 ( 2 )
9(1)
1511385
1858499
59.36
60.31
100 .00
100.00
25001
to 50000
Table – 13 : Mine-head Stocks of Silica Sand
2010-11 (P)
(By States)
(In tonnes)
State
India
Andhra Pradesh
Gujarat
At the beginning
of the year
At the end
of the year
3260050
4995834
2284966
2245585
358318
2202484
Jharkhand
17993
22777
Karnataka
64343
59044
Kerala
27365
9744
242234
187495
570
570
185882
184006
158
46
78221
84083
Maharashtra
Odisha
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
There were 12 reporting mines during the
y e a r a n d 1 4 i n t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r. B e s i d e s ,
production of quartzite was reported by one
associated mine in the current year and
4 associated mines in the preceding year. During
2010-11, five principal producers accounted for
about 84% production. Entire output of quartzite
was reported from mines operated in the private
sector.
Bihar was the leading producing state in
2010-11 contributing about 54% production,
followed by Jharkhand (21%), Karnataka (9%),
AndhraPradesh (6%), Odisha & Rajasthan (4% each)
and Maharashtra (2%) (Tables-14 to 16).
Mine-head stocks of quartzite at the end of
the year 2010-11 were 24 thousand tonnes as
against 38 thousand tonnes at the beginning of
the year. (Table-17).
QUARTZITE
Production of quartzite at 118 thousand
tonnes in 2010-11 increased by 5% as compared
to that in the previous year .
The average daily employment of
labour during the year under review was 183
as against 285 in 2009-10. Domestic prices of
quartzite are furnished in the General Review on
Prices'.
66-12
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 14: Principal Producers of Quartzite, 2010-11
Location of mine
Name & address of producer
State
District
Khalsa Stone Works,
Albert Road,
Jamalpur, Munger,
Bihar.
Bihar
Munger
Bharat Mining Company,
Post - Sunder Nagar,
Dist. Singhbhum East
Jharkhand.
Jharkhand
SinghbhumEast
Janardan Singh
At:-Shitalpur,
P.O. -Dariyapur,
Dist. Munger,
Bihar.
Bihar
Munger
Shivanandi.Mamadapur
Vill. -Saundatti,
Ditt. Belgaum,
Karnataka-591 126.
Karnataka
Belgaum
Sunrise Stone Works
At - Sujawalpur,
P.O. - Shankarpur
Dist. Munger,
Bihar.
Bihar
Munger
Table – 15 : Production of Quartzite, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By States)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
97458
31459
11 2 6 5 2
37377
11 8 1 7 9
35422
595
89
122
18
7717
4309
33760
13027
56394
20855
63350
19785
50
8
50
8
-
-
Jharkhand
2014
201
10737
2147
24658
5242
Karnataka
5500
1513
7437
2054
11200
2667
Maharashtra
1054
264
2481
620
2455
614
47451
13149
29886
11093
4608
2354
7034
3208
5545
582
4191
451
India
Andhra Pradesh
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Odisha
Rajasthan
66-13
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 16 : Production of Quartzite, 2009-10 & 2010-11
(By Sectors/States/Districts)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State/District
No. of mines
India
Private sector
Andhra Pradesh
Cuddaph
Srikakulam
Vizianagaram
Bihar
Munger
Quantity
Value
14(4)
14(4)
2
2
3
3
11 2 6 5 2
112652
122
122
56394
56394
37377
37377
18
18
20855
20855
1
1
1
1
2
2
50
50
10737
10737
7437
7437
(1)
(1)
4(3)
2
(2)
1
1
(1)
1
1
2481
2481
29886
23692
1336
2581
477
1800
5545
5545
Chhattisgarh
Rajnandgaon
Jharkhand
Singhbhum (East)
Karnataka
Belgaum
Maharashtra
Bhandara
Odisha
Jharsuguda
Keonjhar
Mayurbhanj
Sonepur
Sundergarh
Rajasthan
Sawai Madhopur
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
12(1)
12(1)
4
2
1
1
3
3
11 8 1 7 9
118179
7717
83
2218
5416
63350
63350
35422
35422
4309
12
1318
2979
19785
19785
8
8
2147
2147
2054
2054
1
1
1
1
24658
24658
11 2 0 0
11200
5242
5242
2667
2667
620
620
11 0 9 3
9965
200
253
63
612
582
582
(1)
(1)
2
1
1
1
1
2455
2455
4608
4590
18
4191
4191
614
614
2354
2352
2
451
451
Figures in parentheses indicate associated mines of pyrophyllite and quartz.
Table – 17: Mine-head Stocks of Quartzite
2010-11 (P)
(By States)
SAND (OTHERS)
(In tonnes)
State
At the beginning
of the year
At the end
of the year
India
38342
23697
Andhra Pradesh
4372
10189
Bihar
9325
4239
555
-
Jharkhand
1918
1822
Karnataka
1687
2100
490
199
19995
5148
5712
4478
Chhattisgarh
Maharashtra
Odisha
Rajasthan
The production of sand (others) at 1.92 million
tonnes in 2010-11decreased by 11% as compared
to that in the previous year due to lower demand.
There were thirteen reporting mines in
2010-11 as against twelve in the previous year.
The Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd, having ten mines
in Andhra Pradesh contributed 87% production
of sand (others). Twelve percent production was
from three mines of Western Coalfields Ltd located
in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. The
remaining one percent was reported as an
associated mineral by a private sector limestone
mine located in Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya
(Tables - 18 to 20).
All mines were captive in nature and contract
labour was employed by the producers.
Mine-head stocks at the end of 2010-11 was
263 thousand tonnes as against 318 thousand
tonnes at the beginning of the year (Table - 21).
66-14
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 18 : Producers of Sand (Others), 2010-11
Location of mine
Name & address of producer
State
District
Singareni Collieries Co.Ltd,
P.O. Kothagudam Collieries,
Bhadrachalam Road,Station,
S. C. Railway,
Dist.- Khammam-507 101,
Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh
Adilabad
Karimnagar
Western Coalfields Ltd,
Sasti Colliery,
P.O. - Sasti,
Dist. Chandrapur,
Maharashtra.
Maharashtra
Chandrapur
Cement Manufacturing Company Ltd,
Lumshnong,
P.O. - Khliehriat,
Dist-Jaintia Hills,
Meghalaya-793 200.
Meghalaya
Jaintia Hills
Table –19 : Production of Sand (Others), 2008-09 to 2010-11
((By States)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State
India
Andhra Pradesh
Maharashtra
Meghalaya
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
1808185
106971
2159405
101399
1916366
103969
1338315
55406
1763495
75083
1673137
90600
469870
51565
395910
26316
233009
11734
-
-
-
-
10220
1635
Table – 20 : Production of Sand (Others), 2009-10 & 2010-11
(By Sectors/States/Districts)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State/District
No. of mines
India
Quantity
Value
No. of mines
12
2159405
101399
12
2159405
-
-
Andhra Pradesh
10
Adilabad
4
Karimnagar
Vijaynagaram
Public sector
Private sector
Maharashtra
Chandrapur
Meghalaya
Jaintia Hills
Quantity
Value
13(1)
1916366
103969
101399
13
1906146
102334
-
(1)
10220
1635
1763495
75083
10
1673137
90600
616903
28609
4
736668
45855
5
1135693
45928
6
936469
44745
1
10899
546
-
-
-
2
395910
26316
3
233009
11 7 3 4
2
395910
26316
3
233009
11734
-
-
-
(1)
10220
1635
-
-
-
(1)
10220
1635
66-15
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 21: Mine-head Stocks of Sand (Others), 2010-11 (P)
(By States)
(In tonnes)
State
At the beginning of the year
India
At the end of the year
317948
262849
Andhra Pradesh
199320
168300
Maharashtra
118628
94549
AGATE
The production of agate was 19 tonnes in
2010-11 as compared to 11 tonnes during the
preceding year. There was only a single private
sector mine of agate which was situated in Bharuch
district of Gujarat (Tables - 22 to 24).
Mine-head stocks of agate at the end of
2010-11 was 25 tonnes as against 57 tonnes at the
beginning of the year (Table -25).
The average daily employment of labour
was 11 in 2010-11 as against 3 in the previous
year.
Table – 22 : Producer of Agate 2010-11
Location of mine
Name & address of producer
Almiya I. Saiyad,
16, Vyapar Bhawan,
Himmatnagar,
Gujarat.
State
District
Gujarat
Bharuch
Table – 23 : Production of Agate, 2008-09 to 2010-11
((By States)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State
India
Gujarat
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
-
-
11
6
19
10
-
-
11
6
19
10
Table – 24 : Production of Agate, 2009-10 & 2010-11
(By Sectors/States/Districts)
(Qty in tonnes; value in ` '000)
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State/District
India
Private sector
Gujarat
Bharuch
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
No. of mines
Quantity
Value
1
11
6
1
19
10
1
11
6
1
19
10
1
11
6
1
19
10
1
11
6
1
19
10
66-16
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 25 : Mine-head Stocks of Agate, 2010-11 (P)
(By States)
JASPER
No production of jasper was reported
(In tonnes)
State
India
Gujarat
At the beginning
of the year
At the end
of the year
57
57
25
25
during 2009-10 and 2010-11. The only mine which
reported production in 2008-09, wound up its
operation due to lack of demand (Table - 26).
Table –26 : Production of Jasper, 2008-09 to 2010-11
((By States)
(Qty in tonnes; value in '000)
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11(P)
State
India
Rajasthan
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
99
51
-
-
-
-
99
51
-
-
-
-
MINING
Mining for silica minerals is carried out by
manual opencast method. Quartz produced in the
form of lump along with other associated minerals
is invariably hammered to pieces and manually
sorted before it is despatched to the consuming
industries. It is sometimes crushed and marketed.
Glass sand is generally screened and washed to
remove all the deleterious constituents for its use
in glass industry.
APMDC owns two crushing plants located at
Mahaboobnagar district in Andhra Pradesh with
crushing capacity of 45 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes
a month, respectively. Besides, Maharashtra
Minerals Corp. Ltd has a 50,000-tonnes per
year beneficiation plant at Phondaghat in
Sindhudurg district. The plant has advanced
technology in washing both by water and
chemicals and further grading it in required
fractions.
HEALTH HAZARDS
Respirable silica is still a cause of major
concern to miners and consumers since many
minerals especially, industrial sand and gravel
contain crystalline silica, There is a potential
threat of workers getting subjected to "silicosis"
in quartz, silica sand and gravel mines
Occupational safety measures & regulations to
Value
monitor the levels of crystalline silica in these
m i n e s a r e m a n d a t o r y. I n t h e U S A , t h e
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) listed "crystalline silica" as one of their
top five priorities for formulation of necessary
rules. The OSHA, on the basis of significant
information put out by International Agency
f o r R e s e a r c h o n Ev a l u a t i o n o f C a n c e r, h a s
declared that any material containing more than
0.1% crystalline silica should indicate its
carcinogenic hazard.
USES
Quartz, quartzite and silica sand are used in
various industries like glass, refractory, foundry,
ceramic, cosmetic, electrical, abrasives, paints, etc.
The primary use of silica is in the manufacture of
virtually all types of glasswares, ceramics and
ceramic glazes. Other major uses are in metallurgy,
(where silica is used as a refractory, foundry
mould, fluxes and as a source of silicon for
the production of silicon metal and ferro-silicon
and other ferro-alloys), silicon carbide
manufacture, chemical & construction sectors
and as a natural abrasive. Known for its
piezoelectric properties, high quality quartz
crystal is used in electronic devices, multiple
telephone lines, depth-sounding devices, range
finders, chronometers, etc.
66-17
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Sand is also used as a fireproofing material,
for sandstowing in mines, soundproofing
material and as a filler. Silica sand is also used to
maintain or increase the permeability of oil and
gas-bearing formations; its application as a filler
in acid proof cements, putty, paints, epoxy
& polyester resins is inevitable. Besides, it is
widely used in horticulture, as a filtration medium,
and for ornamental purposes as well. Silica
flour is used as a filler in plastic and rubber
products.
Flint and chert are used in abrasives and tubemill lining. Besides, chert is used in crushed
form as aggregate for concrete and road surfacing.
Rounded pebbles of chalcedony are used as
balls in ball mill for finer crushing and grinding
f e l s p a r, c a l c i t e a n d b a r y t e s . T h e d i ff e r e n t
cryptocrystalline varieties of transparent and
translucent chalcedony are valued as
semiprecious stones and are carved out into a
variety of ornaments and used for making different
ornamental wares or articles of decoration.
Agate pieces after cutting and polishing are
sold as semiprecious stones. Big pieces are used
in making mortars and pestles for laboratory use.
Agate cut into requisite shapes is also used as
fulcra of scientific balances and in making edges,
planes and bearings of precision instruments.
INDUSTRY &
SPECIFICATIONS
In India, quartz, quartzite and silica sand are
used mainly in glass, foundry, ferro-alloys and
refractory industries and also as building
materials. According to its suitability for different
purposes, it may be named as building sand,
paving sand, moulding or foundry sand, refractory
sand or furnace sand, filter sand, glass sand and
grinding & polishing sand.
containers, bottles, amber glass containers, clear
flint glass, vacuum bottles and other glasswares.
It is reported that a large fraction of the
requirement of flat glass, container glass, glass
fibre and glass tablewares is being produced by
about 100 large- scale producers Most of them
are located in Gujarat,Mumbai, Kolkata,
Bengaluru and Hyderabad. There are more than
600 medium and small cottage-scale industries.
The production during 2009-10 and 2010-11 of
bottle glassware was 896,636 tonnes and
795,881 tonnes(up to Dec. 2010), respectively.
The natural silica sand is the preferred
material in glass industry, but in some cases where
the glass plants are located far away from silica
deposits, crushed quartz is also used. For use in
glass industry, the silica sand must be uniform in
chemical composition, size and shape of grains.
Uniform grain size promotes even melting in the
glass tank. The sand should not be coarser than
20 or 30 mesh and finer than 100 to 120 mesh. As
a general rule, the grains should be angular rather
than rounded, because angular grains melt more
readily than the rounded ones.
For glass manufacturing, the silica sand
should be fairly free from contaminations of clay
materials, pebbles, etc. Silica sand usually
contains iron oxide, calcium oxide, potassium
oxide and sodium oxide in small amounts. Iron is
the most objectionable impurity because it imparts
colouration to the glass. The common permissible
limits of iron oxide in silica sand for use in the
manufacture of different types of glass are as
follows:
Glass type
Optical glass
Flint or soda-lime glass
Fe2O 3 %
0.005-0.008
0.02-0.05
Plate glass
0.1-0.2
Glass
White bottles or window glass
0.2-0.5
Main use of silica minerals is in the
manufacture of different types of glasses, i.e. glass
Dark bottle glass
0.5-0.7
66-18
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
BIS has laid down specifications for glass
making sands vide IS:488-1980(Second Revision,
Reaffrimed 2008).
Chromium compounds, alumina, lime and
magnesia are the other deleterious impurities. Chromium
compounds are undesirable because these compounds
impart more colouration to the glass than iron. Alumina
tends to decrease transparency and makes the batch
more difficult to melt. The maximum quantity of
alumina permissible in sand is 1.5 percent. The
maximum permissible limit for lime and magnesia is
about 0.05% and for alkalies it is 0.01% or less.
Ceramic
The Ceramic Industry in India ranks fifth in
the world in terms of production of ceramic tiles.
Ceramic industry comprises ceramic tiles,
sanitaryware and crockeryware items. These
products are manufactured both in large- and
small- scale sectors. In organised sector, there
were 16 units for ceramic tiles with an installed
capacity of 2.1 million tonnes per year, 16 units
for potteryware with 43,000 tpy installed capacity
and 7 units for sanitaryware with 1,43,000 tpy
capacity in the country (Table - 27).
Table – 27 : Ceramic Industry
2009-10
Industry
Unit
Ceramic Tiles
million sq m
Potteryware
tonnes
Sanitaryware
tonnes
No. of Units
2010-11(e)
Production
No. of Units
Production
16 + 200
SSI Units
340.00
16 +200
SSI Units
391.00
16 + 1200
SSI Units
72956
16 + 1400
SSI Units
80000
7 + 210
431475
7 + 200
480000
SSI Units
SSI Units
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Annual Report, 2010-11.
In the small-scale sector, there were over
210 units of sanitaryware with capacity of
53,000 tpy and over 1400 plants of potteryware
with a capacity of 3 lakh tpy.
Ceramic whiteware contains about 40% silica,
besides other constituents except for bone china in
which it is not used at all. The silica serves to provide
whiteness, renders the ceramic body to dry easily and
provides compatability between the body and the glass
to prevent crazing or peeling. Main source of silica for
this application is silica sand. In addition, silica flour is
used in formulation of ceramic body for enamels and
frits. Silica flour produced by fine grinding of quartzite,
sandstone or lump quartz is used in enamels. The
silica flour normally contains more than 97.5% SiO2,
less than 0.55% Al2O3 and less than 0.2% Fe2O3. Purity
and small particle size (BS mesh-200) are fundamentally
important for silica in manufacture of ceramics. BIS has
prescribed the specifications of quartz for ceramic
industry vide IS: 11464-2011 (First Revision).
Foundry
The Indian foundry industry is the largest
in the world. This industry is well established
in the country and is spread across a wide
spectrum consisting of large, medium, small
and tiny sector. A special feature of domestic
foundry industry is its geographical clustering
i.e. Coimbatore cluster is famous for pump
sets castings, Kolhapur and Belgaum cluster
for automotive castings, Rajkot cluster
for diesel engine castings and Batala and
Jalandhar cluster for machinery parts and
agriculture implements.
A large number of foundries in both
ferrous and non-ferrous sectors are functioning
in the organised sector in the country. Most of
the foundry units use moulding sand having
40 to 65 A.F.S. (American Foundrymen's Society)
numbers.
66-19
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Silica sand is used in both foundry cores
and moulds because of its resistance to thermal
shock. Silica content of 85% is used in iron
casting. In steel foundries, silica content should
be at least 95%. BIS has laid down specifications
of high silica sand for use in foundries vide IS:
1987-2002 (Second Revision, Reaffirmed 2007).
Natural moulding sand contains variable
amount of clay which acts as a bond between
the sand grains. These sands, therefore,
possess strength, plasticity and refractoriness to
varying extent depending upon the clay minerals
present. When it contains more clay, it is
blended with river sand, which is relatively clayfree so as to get the optimum properties desired
in the sand mixture.
Washed grains shall be mostly sub-angular
to rounded shape. As far as possible, the sand
shall be free from gravel. As per IS:3343-1965
(Reaffrimed 2008), natural moulding sand for use
in foundries shall be of three main grades, namely,
A, B and C with respect to clay content.
specifications of silica flour for use in foundries
vide IS: 3339-1975( Reaffirmed 2008).
Refractory
Quartz and quartzite are used in the
manufacture of refractory silica bricks. However,
recently these bricks are being replaced by basic
linings of magnesite, dolomite or natural types
such as bauxite, etc. in LD basic oxygen and
electric furnaces. Silica reacts readily with basic
slag and is therefore unsuitable in the basic steel
making process. Nevertheless, silica bricks
continue to be used in coke ovens, ceramic kilns,
glass tank crowns and as blast furnace chequers
in some steel mills. Silica bricks have excellent
load resistance capacity at high temperature. For
the manufacture of refractory bricks, silica mineral
should be free from aluminosilicates (felspar, mica,
etc.), as aluminosilicates adversely affect
refractoriness of the bricks. Silica rock (raw
material) should be hard, having high bulk density
and low porosity.
Fluxes
Grade
Clay (%)
A
5 to 10
B
10 to 15
C
15 to 20
Refractoriness of the natural moulding sand
based on sintering temperature range should be
as follows:
Massive quartz, quartzite, sandstone and
unconsolidated sands are the main sources of
silica that get used as flux in smelting base metal
ores where iron and basic oxides are slagged as
silicates. Silica is also used to balance the lime
and silica ratio of the blast furnace mix. The silica
content for this purpose must be as high as 90%
with minor amounts of impurities like iron and
alumina up to 1.5% maximum. BIS has laid down
IS: 13676-1993(Reaffirmed 2008) for quartzite for
iron making in blast furnance.
Grade A - 1350 to 1450 oC
Ferro-silicon and Other Alloys
Grade B - 1200 to 1350 oC
Grade C - 1100 to 1200 oC
Washed sand grains are required to be subangular to rounded shape.
Silica flour is particularly used in the steel
foundry in dressing for moulds and cores and
also as essential ingredient in the moulding
sand mixtures. It is also used to obtain elevated
temperature strength, high density and resistance
to metal penetration in cores. Silica flour is
produced by crushing, washing and grading
high- grade quartz/quartzite rocks or white
silica sand or other deposits sufficiently pure to
get the desired material.BIS has laid down
Ferro-silicon contains about 75-90% silicon
and minor amounts of iron, carbon, etc. It is
estimated that for the manufacture of one tonne
ferro-silicon of 70-75% grade, about 1.78 tonnes
quartz is required besides other raw materials
like coke, iron scrap, etc. Quartz is the major source
of silica in the manufacture of ferro-silicon.
Occasionally, quartzite is also used. However,
use of quartzite is restricted as it contains
higher alumina and iron and more likely that it
would break down in the furnace. Lump silica in
the size range from 3/4 to 5 inches are generally
preferred. Ferro-silicon is produced by smelting
a mixture of quartz, metallic iron (steel scrap
and turnings) and a reducing agent like coke,
charcoal or wood chips.
66-20
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Quartz suitable for ferro-silicon production
should have more than 98% SiO 2 , less than
0.4% Al 2O 3 and not more than 0.2% each of Fe2O 3,
CaO and MgO. Phosphorus or arsenic should
not be present in quartz. If Al 2O 3 is more than
the prescribed limit, it affects reduction in the
electric furnace. Alkali has a tendency to
promote a sticky slag which contaminates the
products. If higher iron (more than 0.3%)
is present in quartz, the fusion in the furnace
takes place at lower temperature and affects
reduction process. Another important factor is
that quartz should have good thermal stability
at 1200 o C or more. BIS has laid down IS:
13054-1991(Reaffirmed 2008) for use of quartz/
quartzite for production of ferro-alloys.
As per Indian Ferro Alloys Producers'
Association, 35 units having a capacity of
205,750 tpy were established for the production
of ferro-silicon. However, presently only 20 units
are in operation with a total capacity of 145
thousand tpy. The production of ferro-silicon
was estimated at around 117 thousand tonnes in
2010-11 List of principal producers of ferro-silicon
is furnished in Table - 28.
(Table -28 Concld.)
Table – 28 : Principal Producers of
Ferro-silicon
Name of the plant
Installed
capacity (tpy)
Name of the plant
Installed
capacity (tpy)
Sandur Manganese & Iron Ore Ltd,
Vyasankere, Bellary,
24000
Karnataka. (closed)
Ferro Alloys Corp. Ltd,
(Ferro Alloys Division),
Vizianagaram,
Andhra Pradesh.
Navbharat Ferro-alloys Ltd,
Paloncha, Dist. Khammam,
Andhra Pradesh.
VBC Ferro Alloys Ltd,
Medak,
Andhra Pradesh.
GMR Technologies & Ind. Ltd,
Ravivalasa, Dist. Srikakulam,
Andhra Pradesh.
72500
( To t a l )
NA
Kerala.
9300
Indsil Electrosmelts Ltd,
NA
Pallabhari, Dist. Pallakad,
Kerala.
19000
Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd,
Therubali, Dist. Cuttack,
53000
Odisha.
25000
( To t a l )
The Silical Metallurgic Ltd,
10560
Puducherry.
Akshay Ispat & Ferro Alloys Ltd,
Namchi Distt., South Sikkim,
Sikkim.
6000
Hindustan Malleables & Forgings Ltd,
Dhanbad,
Jharkhand.
1800
Anjaney Ferro-alloys Ltd,
Mihijam, Dist. Dumka,
Jharkhand.
Sri Laxmi Electro Smelters (Pvt.) Ltd,
Erumathala, Aluva,
Snam Alloys Ltd,
12000
Village Kariamanickam,
Puducherry.
V.S.K. Ferro-alloys Ltd,
3000
Thuthipet,
Puducherry.
Hindustan ferro-Alloys,
NA
Hamirpur,
(Contd.)
Uttar Pradesh.
66-21
3200
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Silico-manganese, a combination of 60-70%
manganese, 10-20% silicon and 20% carbon,
substitutes low carbon ferro-manganese in
steel industry. The production of silico-manganese
including medium and low carbon silicomanganese was estimated at 1,299 thousand tonnes
in 2010-11. The details of silicon ferro-alloys are
also discussed in the review on 'Ferro-Alloys'.
Silicon Metal
A high purity quartz containing about
99.80% SiO2 , without any other contaminant, is
used in the production of silicon metal. The
production of silicon metal is similar to that for
ferro-silicon except that no iron is added. The
alumina and iron contents are specified to be
below 0.1% each with calcium and phosphorus
contents each restricted to 0.005 percent. For
production of one tonne of silicon metal, about
2.6 tonnes silica is consumed. Specifications of
silica minerals to be used in different industries
are given in Table - 29.
Table – 29 : BIS Specifications of Silica Minerals for various Industries
Mineral
Industry consumed
Glass
Silica
sand
Foundry Silica
flour
Iron
(BF)
BIS
Physical
No.
specifications
IS: 488 –
1980
(Second
Revision;
Reaffirmed
2008)
IS:3339 –
1975
(First
Revision;
Reaffirmed
2008)
Quartzite IS:13676
-1993
(Reaffirmed
2008)
Lumpy, Hard,
Non-friable of
size -150 to
+10 mm
Chemical Specifications
Grade
Special Gr.
SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
99
Remarks
TiO 2
(%)
P
(%)
0.020 –
(min)
–
–
0.10
For manufacturing
high-grade colourless
glass, viz, crystal
glass, tableware and
decoratedware.
Gr. I
98.0 0.04 –
(min) (max)
–
–
0.10
(max)
–
For manufacturing
decolourised glassware,
viz, containerware,
lampware, etc.
Gr. II
97.5 0.07 –
(min) (max)
–
–
0.10
(max)
–
For manufacturing
glassware where slight
tint is permissible.
Gr. III
97%
0.2 –
(max) (max)
–
–
–
–
For manufacturing of
decolourised and some
coloured glasses.
–
98.0
(min)
–
–
–
–
–
–
100% silica flour
should pass through
150-micron I.S.
sieve and atleast
95% through
75-micron sieve.
The fusion
temperature should
be >1700 oC.
–
96-98
2-4
–
–
–
–
–
After prescribed
thermal stability
test on -25+19 mm
material, +19 mm
fraction should be
more than 55% and
-5 mm fraction
should be less than
5%.
(Contd.)
66-22
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
(Table -29 Concld.)
Mineral
Industry consumed
BIS
Physical
No.
specifications
Banded -doHematite
Quartzite
Note:
-do-
Chemical Specifications
Grade
–
SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
48-50
1.0 50(max)52
(Fe)
–
–
Remarks
TiO 2
(%)
P
(%)
–
–
After prescribed
tumbling test on
+5 mm material,
+5 mm fraction
should be more than
90%.
In addition, BIS has prescribed following specifications: - silica for paint industry (IS : 67 - 1998; Second
Revision; Reaffirmed 2002), High-silica sand for use in foundries (IS : 1987-2002; Second Revision), Quartz
& quartzite for production of ferro-alloys (IS : 13054-1991; Reaffirmed 2003).
CONSUMPTION
POLICY
The consumption of quartz and silica sand
was estimated at 1.45 million tonnes in 2010-11.
Major consuming industries were glass (36%),
cement (19%), ferro-alloys (17%), foundry (9%),
fertilizer (7%). and ceramic(6%). Other industries
such as iron & steel, alloy steel, insecticide,
refractory, abrasive, etc. consumed the remaining
6%.
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) for 2009-2014 and
the amended Export and Import Policy
incorporated in the FTP freely allows the import
of quartz and quartzite lumps and powder as also
silica sand and quartz sands under headings 2505
and 2506. However, the exports of silica sands
and quartz sands under heading 2505 are
restricted and permitted under licence. The export
of river sand to Maldives is permitted, subject to
'No Objection Certificate' by CAPEXCIL within the
annual ceiling of 1,185,455 tonnes for 2011-12.
The consumption of quartzite was estimated
around 273 thousand tonnes out of which
iron and steel industry consumed about 63%,
followed by ferro-alloys (18%), refractory (17%)
and cement (2%).
The estimated consumption of moulding sand
in 2010-11 was 64,800 tonnes. Major consuming
industries were foundry (64%), followed by iron
& steel (29%) and mining machinery (6%).
The total ferro-silicon consumed by various
industries in 2010-11 was estimated at
42,900 tonnes. Major consuming industries were
iron & steel (85%), alloy steel (10%) and foundry
(5%). Besides, reported consumption of ferrosilico-magnesium was 13 tonnes in foundry
industry in 2010-11.Estimated consumption of
ferro-chrome-silicon was 460 tonnes in alloy steel
industry (Tables - 30 to 35).
SUBSTITUTION
In order to reduce the potential threat
of "silicosis," a variety of materials are used
as substitutes for silica. Basic and neutral
refractories (including magnesite, mag-chrome,
dolomite and high alumina bricks) have replaced
silica in a large number of applications. Chromite,
olivine and zircon are alternatives to foundry
sands. Garnet and to a lesser extent, olivine are
used in sand blasting to avoid the risk of silicosis.
Wollastonite is more favoured than free silicon
for use in the ceramic industry, again due to the
risk of silicosis. In electronic industry, replacement
of natural quartz crystal by cultured quartz crystal
is increasing steadily.
66-23
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 30 : Reported Consumption of Quartz/Silica Sand, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By Industries)
(In tonnes)
Industry
All Industries
Alloy steel
Cement
Ceramic
Ferro-alloys
Fertilizer
Foundry
Glass
Iron & steel
Others (Abrasive,
asbestos, chemical,
dry cell battery, electrical, paint,
pesticide, refracatory and rubber)
2008-09
2009-10(R)
2010-11(P)
1457600
14500(10)
280500(14)
71500(38)
218400(33)
105800(4)
129900(32)
574900(52)
13500(1)
48600 (75)
1451500
14500(10)
278100(14)
76300(38)
208300(35)
105800(4)
136400(33)
569900(52)
13500(1)
48700(75)
1453100
14500(10)
271100(14)
86800(38)
244200(36)
105800(4)
138100(33)
529900(52)
13500(1)
49200(77)
Figures rounded off. Data collected on non-statutory basis.
Figures in parentheses denote the number of units in organised sector reporting* consumption.
(*Includes actual reported consumption and/or estimates made wherever required).
Table – 31: Reported Consumption of Quartzite, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By Industries)
(In tonnes)
Industry
2008-09
All Industries
Cement
Ferro-alloys
Foundry
Iron & steel
Pelletisation (Iron & steel)
Refractory
Sponge iron
2009-10 (R)
2010-11(P)
273600
278600
273400
17600(2)
1100(2)
5400(2)
50300(11)
45300(12)
48000(12)
800(4)
800(4)
800(4)
148600(20)
173700(22)
171400(22)
2400(1)
2400(1)
2400(1)
53800(13)
55200(13)
45300(13)
100(1)
100(1)
100(1)
Figures rounded off. Data collected on non-statutory basis.
Figures in parentheses denote the number of units in organised sector reporting* consumption.
(*Includes actual reported consumption and/or estimates made wherever required).
Table – 32 : Reported Consumption of Moulding Sand, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By Industries)
(In tonnes)
Industry
All Industries
Foundry
Iron & steel
Mining machinery
Others (Sugar & textile)
2008-09
2009-10(R)
2010-11(P)
59900
54300(15)
1400(4)
4100(3)
100(7)
66000
41700(14)
20100(6)
4100(3)
100(7)
64800
41700(14)
18900(6)
4100(3)
100(7)
Figures rounded off.
Data collected on non-statutory basis.
Figures in parentheses denote the number of units in the organised sector reporting* consumption.
(* includes reported companies and/or estimates, whenever required).
66-24
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 33 : Reported Consumption of Ferro-Silicon,
2008-09 to 2010-11
(By Industries)
(In tonnes)
Industry
All Industries
Alloy steel
Electrode
2008-09
2009-10 (R)
2010-11 (P)
42200
41900
42900
4000(7)
4100(7)
4100(7)
++(2)
++(2)
++(2)
-
++(1)
++(1)
2100(20)
2200(21)
2200(21)
36100 (17)
35600(20)
36600(20)
Ferro-alloys
Foundry
Iron & steel
WORLD REVIEW
Basically, silica is abundant in the earth's crust.
Sand and gravel reserves of the world are large. Quartzrich sand and sandstone are the main sources of
industrial silica sand which occurs throughout the world.
Reserves of natural quartz crystal suitable for
electronics or optical use in the world are limited. The
world's dependence on these reserves will continue to
decline because of the increased usage of cultured
quartz crystal as an alternate material. Electronic
applications accounted for the most industrial uses of
quartz crystal, followed by optical application.
All quartz crystals used for electronics were
cultured. The world production of industrial silica sand
and gravel by principal countries is given in Table - 36.
Figures rounded off. Data collected on non-statutory
basis.Figures in parentheses denote the no of units in
organised sector reporting* consumption.
(*Includes actual reported consumption and/or estimates
made wherever required).
Table – 34 : Reported Consumption of
Ferro-Silicon-Magnesium, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By Industries)
Table – 36: World Production of
Sand and Gravel (Industrial), 2008 to 2010
(By Principal Countries)
(In '000 tonnes)
Country
2008 (e)
2009 (e)
World: Total (rounded)
121000
106000
121000
Australia
5300
5200
5300
Belgium
1800
1800
1800
Canada
1990
1300
1171
Chile
1400
1400
1400
Czech Republic
1000
1364
1400
France
5000
5000
5000
Germany
8190
6450
7000
India*
1700
1700
1800
Iran
2000
1500
1500
Italy
13800
13800
9800
Japan
4500
3500
3078
Mexico
2780
2770
2480
Norway
1500
1500
1500
Poland
4000
4385
2730
South Africa
3650
2310
2910
Spain
5000
5000
5000
Turkey
1200
1250
4000
UK
5600
5600
3760
USA
30400
25000
29900
Other countries (rounded)
20200
15200
19900
(In tonnes)
Industry
All Industries
Foundry
2008-09
2009-10 (R)
2010-11 (P)
13
13
13
13 (2)
13 (2)
13 (2)
Figures rounded off. Data collected on non-statutory
basis. Figures in parenthesis denote the number of units
in organised sector reporting* consumption.
(*Includes actual reported consumption and/or estimates
made wherever required).
Table – 35 : Reported Consumption of
Ferro-Chrome-Magnesium, 2008-09 to 2010-11
(By Industries)
(In tonnes)
Industry
All Industries
Alloy steel
2008-09
460
460 (1)
2009-10 (R)
460
460 (1)
2010-11 (P)
460
460 (1)
Figures rounded off. Data collected on non-statutory
basis. Figures in parenthesis denote the number of units
in organised sector reporting* consumption.
(*Includes actual reported consumption and/or estimates
made wherever required).
2010 (e)
Source: Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2010 to 2012.
* For India's production of silica minerals during 2008-09,
2009-10 and 2010-11, Tables - 5 , 10, 15, and 19 of this
Review may be referred. Besides, sand is also produced as a
minor mineral for use in building construction applications.
66-25
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
FOREIGN TRADE
Exports
Exports of quartz and quartzite (natural)
decreased considerably to 203,363 tonnes in
2010-11 from 256,421 tonnes in the previous
year. Out of total exports, quartz comprised
165,532 tonnes (81%) and quartzite 37,831 tonnes
(19%). Exports were mainly to Japan (23%), UAE
& Bangladesh (13% each) and Vietnam (12%).
Exports of silica sand increased to 12,267 tonnes
in 2010-11 from 7,478 tonnes in 2009-10. Exports
were mainly to Japan (41%), France (9%) and
Kenya & Qatar (5% each). Exports of sand
(excluding metal bearing) decreased substantially
to 10,305 tonnes in2010-11 from 26,932 tonnes in
the previous year. Exports were mainly to Sudi
Arabia (31%), Tunisia (19%) and Oman (9%).
Exports of agate (uncut) registered a downward
trend with 9,448 tonnes in 2010-11 as against
39,090 tonnes recorded in the previous year. China
(49%) , USA (15%) , Germany (11%) and Italy(10%)
were the main buyers in 2010-11. Exports of agate
(cut) increased substantially to 675 thousand
carats in 2010-11 from 125 thousand carats in the
previous year. Exports of flint increased to 1,688
tonnes in 2010-11 from 940 tonnes in 2009-10.
Exports of silicon decreased to 165 tonnes in
2010-11 from 536 in the previous year. Exports
were mainly to UAE, People's Rep.of Congo, Hong
Kong and Liberia (Tables - 37 to 45).
China was the main supplier. Imports of agate
(uncut) were 637 tonnes in 2010-11 as compared
to 39 tonnes in 2009-10. Imports were mainly from
China. Imports of agate (cut) were 3 thousand
carat in 2010-11, mainly from China and Italy.
Imports of silicon were 32,055 tonnes as compared
to 24,245 tonnes in 2009-10, mostly from China
(Tables - 46 to 54).
Table – 37 : Exports of Quartz And Quartzite
(By Countries)
2009-10
2010-11
Country
All Countries
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
256421
1092657
203363
1208710
Japan
41782
336939
47522
467239
Vietnam
15638
118830
24196
177159
UAE
33694
92392
25711
72779
Malaysia
32828
90498
8414
70694
Bangladesh
32500
75194
26031
62594
Italy
8245
65099
8141
56405
Germany
5336
32365
4516
36370
Israel
5226
27154
6310
33972
Nigeria
670
3588
4752
29134
Bhutan
35749
40828
21227
27931
Other countries 44753
209770
26543
174433
Table – 38 : Exports of Quartzite (Natural)
(By Countries)
Imports
Imports of quartz and quartzite (natural) were
496 tonnes in 2010-11 as compared to 823 tonnes
in 2009-10. Out of the total imports in 2010-11,
those of quartz were 412 tonnes and mainly from
Sri Lanka, Spain and UK while quartzite imports
were 84 tonnes as compared to 337 tonnes in the
preceding year. The imports were mainly from
Sri Lanka. Imports of silica sand increased
substantially to 93,741 tonnes in 2010-11 from
15,384 tonnes in the previous year. Egypt, UAE,
Jordan and Bhutan were the main suppliers.
Imports of sand (excluding metal bearing) sharply
decreased to 22 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 from
493 thousand tonnes in 2009-10. Imports were
mainly from Nepal and Pakistan. Imports of flint
sharply decreased to 25 tonnes in 2010-11 as
compared to 862 tonnes in the previous year.
2009-10
2010-11
Country
All Countries
66-26
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
54283
261454
37831
275779
Vietnam
9497
69724
9579
78092
Japan
7713
41082
7699
45789
Italy
6608
52268
5641
42058
670
3588
4072
25302
Israel
2229
15354
2644
20706
Germany
1752
4262
951
9936
9182
Nigeria
Spain
163
1224
754
Thailand
1727
11569
460
8497
Bangladesh
3360
9157
2118
4785
USA
208
2207
120
3916
Other countries 20356
51019
3793
27516
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 41 : Exports of Sand
(Excl. Metal Bearing)
(By Countries)
Table – 39 : Exports of Quartz (Natural)
(By Countries)
2009-10
2010-11
Country
2009-10
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
202138
831203
165532
932931
34069
295857
39823
421451
6141
49106
14617
99067
UAE
33659
92185
25416
71580
Chinese Taipei/
Taiwan
Malaysia
32704
90202
8266
69888
Bangladesh
29140
66037
23913
Bhutan
22464
26818
Germany
3584
Iran
All Countries
2010-11
Country
Qty
(t)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
26932
88278
10305
124563
117
8874
3199
60146
-
-
364
27651
Tunisia
100
4108
1937
9558
57809
Oman
198
1158
925
5344
20629
27309
Qatar
189
1884
322
2898
28103
3565
26434
UAE
228
1509
606
2380
1133
8159
2664
22391
Canada
-
-
230
2228
Thailand
1654
7156
2500
19139
Nigeria
171
943
489
2121
Italy
1637
12831
2500
14346
Egypt
-
-
45
1861
Other countries 35953
154749
21639
103517
74
569
175
1713
Other countries 25855
69233
2013
8663
Japan
All Countries
Value
(`'000)
Saudi Arabia
Vietnam
Korea, Rep. of
Table – 40 : Exports of Silica Sand
(By Countries)
2009-10
Table – 42 : Exports of Agate Uncut
(By Countries)
2010-11
2009-10
Country
2010-11
Country
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
7478
30073
12267
145497
Japan
421
7664
5026
93322
China
Korea, Rep.of
165
1217
448
5810
34
204
565
Singapore
-
-
France
-
Kenya
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
39090
8750
9488
15421
100
300
4637
4953
USA
19046
3131
1451
3486
5094
Italy
-
-
946
1476
280
4842
Germany
10
306
1070
1463
-
1082
4722
Hong Kong
1
66
47
1127
64
260
633
3986
Australia
18587
1519
123
686
Vietnam
12
143
416
3634
Malta
-
-
12
481
Thailand
220
4105
180
3261
Japan
25
181
160
459
Malaysia
35
136
188
2675
UK
53
2137
778
347
125
583
529
2239
Chinese Taipei/
Taiwan
-
-
100
296
6402
15761
2920
15912
Other countries
1268
1110
164
647
All Countries
Qatar
Kuwait
Other countries
All Countries
66-27
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 45 : Exports of Silicon
(By Countries)
Table – 43 : Exports of Agate Cut
(By Countries)
2009-10
2009-10
2010-11
Country
Qty
Value
Qty
('000 carat) (`'000) ('000 carat)
All Countries
2010-11
Country
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
All Countries
536
28455
165
23005
Hong Kong
14
10843
26
6153
-
-
3
3724
++
36
41
2927
-
-
3
2013
Value
(`'000)
125
19774
675
51501
4
233
153
23424
49
6136
394
10908
Germany
9
4463
17
4660
Italy
2
1288
59
4454
France
2
1709
14
2415
Congo, People’s
Rep. of
54
2731
29
2007
China
26
996
1
1340
Liberia
17
740
22
1394
Spain
++
80
7
854
Singapore
-
-
1
1034
-
-
2
698
Sri Lanka
6
343
11
842
++
49
10
578
Nepal
31
664
8
626
1
176
9
547
-
-
1
402
32
4644
9
1623
414
13098
20
1883
Hong Kong
USA
Turkey
UAE
Finland
Australia
Turkey
Japan
Other countries
Iran
Other countries
Table – 46 :Imports of Quartz and Quartzite
(Natural)
(By Countries)
Table – 44 : Exports of Flint
(By Countries)
2009-10
2010-11
2009-10
Country
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
940
2653
1688
6320
Djibouti
588
1428
1064
4034
Saudi Arabia
161
722
233
895
South Africa
-
-
81
602
UAE
-
-
106
471
Sudan
162
477
27
128
Ethiopia
-
-
26
112
Bangladesh
-
-
151
77
Nepal
1
1
++
1
28
25
-
-
All Countries
Other countries
2010-11
Country
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
823
11964
496
8699
Sri Lanka
352
3112
225
2932
Germany
143
4083
21
1576
Italy
19
768
42
1230
Spain
115
1112
141
1191
UK
6
223
54
1111
USA
3
251
10
510
Belgium
3
143
3
128
160
1432
++
17
-
-
++
3
22
840
++
1
All Countries
China
UAE
Other countries
66-28
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 47 : Imports of Quartzite (Natural)
(By Countries)
2009-10
Table – 50 : Imports of Sand
(Excl. Metal Bearing)
(By Countries)
2010-11
Country
All Countries
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
337
4199
84
2510
Italy
19
768
34
1186
Germany
++
19
++
678
Sri Lanka
309
2846
50
646
9
566
-
-
Other countries
2009-10
Sri Lanka
Spain
UK
Germany
2010-11
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
486
7765
412
6189
43
266
175
2285
115
1112
141
1191
6
147
54
1111
143
4064
21
899
3
251
10
510
Belgium
3
143
3
128
China
-
-
8
44
159
1333
++
17
++
3
14
449
++
1
UAE
Other countries
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
493454
177268
22379
28609
492839
165822
19744
17562
Belgium
486
6730
594
7372
Pakistan
-
-
2003
1584
China
2
56
15
1089
124
4617
4
377
Switzerland
-
-
14
305
Netherlands
-
-
3
265
France
-
-
2
55
Other countries
3
43
-
-
Germany
USA
Italy
Value
(`'000)
Nepal
Country
All Countries
Qty
(t)
All Countries
Table – 48 : Imports of Quartz (Natural)
(By Countries)
2009-10
Table – 51 : Imports of Flint
(By Countries)
2009-10
All Countries
Hong Kong
Table – 49 :Imports of Silica Sand
(By Countries)
Other countries
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
862
5413
25
202
124
1567
25
202
-
-
-
-
738
3846
-
-
2010-11
Country
All Countries
2010-11
Country
China
2009-10
2010-11
Country
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
15384
287033
93741
413702
Egypt
275
584
50178
91860
Italy
2562
69450
3120
43291
China
411
9042
2468
37903
Table – 52 : Imports of Agate Uncut
(By Countries)
2009-10
2010-11
Country
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
Qty
(t)
Value
(`'000)
39
3354
637
15193
11
2584
594
13692
Norway
141
3664
2124
34404
Bhutan
4753
34982
3729
32763
-
12
277
23191
China
Thailand
-
-
22
999
USA
2
59
8
286
Brazil
-
-
13
216
26
711
-
-
Spain
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Jordan
USA
Other countries
37
1347
18223
20952
672
2949
2938
20383
1858
5305
6789
17199
895
24503
506
17043
3780
135195
3389
74713
All Countries
66-29
Other countries
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
Table – 53 : Imports of Agate Cut
(By Countries)
2009-10
2010-11
Country
Qty
Value
Qty
Value
('000 carat)
(` '000)
('000 carat)
(` '000)
All Countries
++
1400
3
16464
USA
++
1028
++
15422
Italy
-
-
1
429
China
-
-
2
327
++
351
++
233
-
-
++
52
++
21
++
1
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Other countries
Table – 54 : Imports of Silicon
(By Countries)
2009-10
2010-11
Country
Qty
Value
Qty
Value
(t)
(` '000)
(t)
(` '000)
All Countries
24245
2186037
32055
3523172
China
22762
2031858
28375
3087166
99
8971
1558
175100
France
229
27827
630
81532
Australia
524
45242
333
46201
Hong Kong
163
14724
127
14107
Norway
142
18650
75
11752
UK
15
2214
92
10264
USA
2
1457
76
10051
Chinese Taipei/Taiwan
9
3056
4
9014
38
3372
124
15443
262
28666
661
62542
Vietnam
Unspecified
Other countries
66-30
QUARTZ & OTHER SILICA MINERALS
FUTURE OUTLOOK
In India, quartz, quartzite and silica sand are
used mainly in glass, foundry, ferro-alloys,
refractory industries and also as building
materials. According to its suitability for different
purposes, it may be named as building sand,
paving sand, moulding or foundry sand, refractory
sand or furnance sand and glass sand etc.
However, the main use of silica minerals is in
manufacture of different types of glasses, natural
silica sand being the preferred material in the glass
industry.
The demand for quartz, silica sand, moulding
sand and quartzite is increasing over the years to
cater to the requirement of ferro-silicon, silicomanganese, silico-chrome, silica refractories, glass
and for moulding and casting purposes. The
requirements of these products are linked up
directly with iron and steel industry including
alloy steel production. Further, setting up
foundries and enhancing their capacities are also
linked with metallurgical industry.
As per the report of the Sub-Group on 12th
Plan, Planning Commission of India,the domestic
demand of quartz and silica minerals is estimated
at 3.15 million tonnes by 2011-12 and at 4.85 million
tonnes by 2016-17 at 9% growth rate.
The total resources of quartz and other silica
minerals are 4,750 million tonnes as on 1.4.2010.
There are very good prospects of increasing the
export of quartz and silica minerals to the
neighboring countries.
In Haryana silica sand is available but due to
environmental constraints mining is stopped.The
Report has recommended that these constraints
may be solved amicably in consultation with
MoEF.
66-31