Major Minerals in Meghalaya
The Major Minerals in Meghalaya
are :
Limestone : Meghalaya is having an inferred reserve of more than 4000 million tones and till date the proven reserves are more than 500 million tonnes. Limestone of quality varying from cement grade to chemical grade, as indicated below, are available in the state.
| Source | CaO % | Mg0 % | AlO+FeO | 1% SiO etc | Remarks |
| Khasi Hills | 51.91-53.04 | 0.43-0.46 | 0.78-1.04 | 0.91-1.85 | Cement grade to Chemical grade |
| Jaintia Hills | 45.29-52.03 | 0.85-2.13 | 1.10-2.60 | 0.59-1.92 | |
| Garo Hills | 45.47-47.38 | 1.54-1.77 | 5.64-5.97 | 5.00-8.13 | Mainly Cement grade |
Limestone
is suitable for manufacture of cement, lime and hydrated lime, precipitated and
activated calcium carbonate, calcium carbide and acetylene black, bleaching
powder etc
Coal : Both coking and non-coking types of coal with very high caloric value and low ash content are available. Some coal samples are being depicted in the following table :-
| Yield per tone of coal (Dry Basis) | ||||||
| Source of Coal | Tar in Litre | Liquor in Litre | Gas in m3 | Ammonia in Kg | Coke in Kg | Type of Coke |
| Garo Hills (Nangwalbibra) | 120-160 | 70-85 | 100-180 | 0.80-1.00 | 630-667 | A |
| Jaintia Hills (Bapung Area) | 154-181 | 71-81 | 100-116 | Not Available | 666-684 | E or G |
Proven reserves is about 68 million tonnes but the inferred reserve is more than 570 million tonnes.
Clay
: Various types of clay (kaolin/china clay/fireclay to white clay deposits
spread all over the State.
Granite : There is abundant availability of granite and other crystalline rocks of very pleasant colour and finish after cutting and polishing. Such material has got a tremendous potential in the growing domestic and export market and offers excellent opportunity.