Classification of Rajasthan's Minerals

Rajasthan's minerals are classified per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) into major minerals (regulated by the central government) and minor minerals (regulated by state government). Functionally, for the RAS exam, the following four-category classification is most useful:

2.1 Metallic Minerals

Metallic minerals are those from which metals are extracted by smelting or processing. Rajasthan's Aravalli metallogenic belt hosts the most economically significant of these.

Mineral	Key Districts / Mines	National Status	Operator
Lead-Zinc	Udaipur (Zawar, Rajpura-Dariba), Rajsamand (Sindesar Khurd), Bhilwara	Sole producer in India	HZL (Vedanta)
Silver	Rajsamand (Sindesar Khurd), Bhilwara (Rajpura-Dariba)	Largest primary silver producer	HZL (Vedanta)
Copper	Jhunjhunu (Khetri Copper Belt — Kolihan, Chandmari, Banwas), Sikar, Alwar	2nd largest copper reserve state	Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL)
Iron Ore	Jaipur (Neem ka Thana), Dausa, Bhilwara, Sikar	Moderate producer	Private
Tungsten	Pali (Degana), Nagaur	Only Indian tungsten mine	MECL
Manganese	Banswara, Udaipur	Minor producer	Private

Source: Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26, Chapter 5

Lead-Zinc Complex: The Zawar mines in Udaipur district, operated by Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) — a Vedanta subsidiary — are India's only primary lead-zinc producing mines. The ore (sulphide type: galena for lead, sphalerite for zinc) is processed at Hindustan Zinc's Chanderiya smelter complex (Chittorgarh) and Debari smelting unit (Udaipur). India's zinc output makes it the world's 4th largest zinc producer, entirely on account of this Rajasthan operation.

The Khetri Copper Belt in Jhunjhunu spans the Kolihan, Chandmari, and Banwas mines, operated by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL). Though the belt once produced significant tonnages, declining ore grades and rising costs have made Khetri economically marginal. The Rajasthan government and HCL are exploring revival plans under the National Mineral Policy 2019 framework. Rajasthan holds India's 2nd largest copper reserve (after Madhya Pradesh's Malanjkhand).

Tungsten at Degana (Pali/Nagaur): Rajasthan holds India's only economic tungsten deposit at Degana, historically mined. The ore is wolframite. Strategic importance: tungsten is used in military-grade cutting tools, filaments, and superalloys. Under the National Critical Minerals Mission (2024), Degana deposits have been flagged for expedited exploration.

2.2 Non-Metallic Minerals

Non-metallic minerals form the backbone of Rajasthan's mineral economy in terms of volume and revenue. Rajasthan is a national leader in almost every category here.

Mineral	Key Districts	National Status	Primary Industrial Use
Rock Phosphate	Udaipur (Jhamarkotra, Kanpur-Deval, Matoon)	Largest producer (RSMML)	Fertilizer (SSP manufacture)
Gypsum	Bikaner, Nagaur, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Hanumangarh	Largest producer in India	Cement, plaster, fertilizer
Limestone	Nagaur, Jodhpur, Chittorgarh, Sirohi, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer	Major producer	Cement, iron & steel, chemicals
Marble	Nagaur (Makrana), Rajsamand, Udaipur, Sirohi	Top producer	Construction, export, art
Sandstone	Jodhpur (Dulmera), Barmer, Kota (Kota stone)	Top producer	Construction, flooring
Feldspar	Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jaipur, Pali	Leading producer	Glass, ceramics, pottery
Mica	Bhilwara, Ajmer, Jaipur, Tonk	Major producer	Electrical insulation, cosmetics
Asbestos	Udaipur, Dungarpur	Minor producer	Fire-resistant materials
Ball Clay	Bikaner, Barmer	Leading producer	Ceramics, sanitaryware
Wollastonite	Sirohi, Dungarpur	Sole producer in India	Ceramics, plastics filler
Garnet	Tonk, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur	~90-95% of India's output	Abrasives, water-jet cutting, gems
Steatite/Soapstone	Udaipur, Rajsamand, Pali	Leading producer	Insulation, cosmetics, paper
Calcite	Udaipur, Rajsamand, Ajmer	Leading producer	Paints, plastics, paper coating
Dolomite	Ajmer, Pali, Udaipur	Significant producer	Steel, glass, ceramics
Ochre	Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Alwar	Leading producer	Pigments, paints, dyes

Source: Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26, Chapter 5; RSMML Annual Report 2024-25

Rock Phosphate at Jhamarkotra: The Jhamarkotra mine, operated by RSMML in Udaipur district, is India's largest rock phosphate mine with estimated reserves of approximately 200 million tonnes. RSMML's SBU Rock Phosphate generated ₹719.32 crore revenue (up to December 2024). Rock phosphate is crushed and processed into single superphosphate (SSP) fertilizer at plants in Udaipur and Kota. India imports ~90% of its phosphatic fertilizer raw material, making Jhamarkotra a nationally strategic deposit.

Gypsum in the Desert Districts: Rajasthan's Thar Desert belt (Bikaner, Nagaur, Barmer, Jaisalmer) hosts India's largest gypsum deposits. RSMML's SBU Gypsum (Bikaner) earned ₹15.88 crore in the same period (a partial reflection — much gypsum is mined privately). Gypsum is used in Portland cement production (as a retarder), in agriculture as a soil amendment for sodic soils, and for plaster of Paris. India's cement industry (which has major plants in Rajasthan — see Section 4) is the primary consumer.

Marble — Makrana to Global Markets: Rajasthan produces India's finest marble. Makrana marble (Nagaur district) is white, high-grade dolomitic marble used in the Taj Mahal and exported worldwide. Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Sirohi produce coloured marble (green, pink, black). The marble processing industry in Kishangarh (Ajmer) and Udaipur is India's largest. India exports marble to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe — Rajasthan is the primary source.

2.3 Fuel Minerals

Lignite is found in the Palana-Bikaner area and Barsingsar (Bikaner district). RSMML's SBU Lignite (Jaipur division) earned ₹206.18 crore (up to December 2024). Lignite fuels Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam's (RRVUNL) Barsingsar thermal power plant (250 MW). Rajasthan produces no bituminous coal.

Crude Oil and Natural Gas: Rajasthan contributes ~14.95% of India's crude oil production (4.39 MMTPA out of 29.36 MMTPA nationally) from the Barmer-Sanchor Basin, operated primarily by Cairn India (Vedanta). This is covered in depth under Topic #89.

2.4 Atomic / Rare Earth Minerals

Uranium and Thorium traces exist in Rajasthan (Udaipur, Sikar), explored by Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD). Rare Earth Elements (REE): Rajasthan has identified REE potential in carbonatite-hosted deposits. Under India's Critical Minerals Mission (2024), Rajasthan has been identified as a priority state for REE, lithium, and cobalt exploration. The Rajasthan Mineral Policy 2024 explicitly mandates promotion of critical minerals including lithium and REE to support clean energy transition.

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