Rohtas: For the first time since the bifurcation of Bihar and Jharkhand, large-scale mining operations will resume in the Kaimur Hills region of Rohtas. In 2025, the process for glauconite excavation will begin in the Nauhatta block, marking a significant milestone for the local economy. The project is expected to create employment opportunities for over 10,000 people, particularly benefiting the residents of nearby villages.
This marks the revival of mining activities in the region after a 40-year hiatus. The limestone mines, once a major source of raw materials for the cement industry, were closed following the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act. Now, alongside glauconite, limestone extraction is also set to resume next year, creating a sense of optimism in the local community.
In addition to mining, industrial development is on the rise in the Sasaram area. The Adani Group has announced plans to establish paddy processing plants, with an investment of Rs 800 crore, further boosting local employment and infrastructure.
The Ministry of Mining and Geology has awarded contracts for glauconite and potash mining across 463.995 hectares. The excavation is expected to yield 141.13 million tonnes of glauconite, a key ingredient in fertilizer production. This project will directly benefit residents of three dozen villages, including Pipradih, Padariya, Nauhatta, Tipa, Nimhat, Bhudwa, Chunhatta, and Dabua.
A survey conducted in 2017-18 confirmed the presence of high-quality glauconite in the region, promising significant benefits for the fertilizer industry. The discovery has revived hopes for economic regeneration in an area that has struggled since the closure of key industries, including the PPCL fertilizer company in Amjhor, which ceased operations in 2001.
Limestone mining was once a thriving industry in the Kaimur Hills, providing essential raw materials to cement factories like Dalmianagar and Japla. However, with the closure of Dalmianagar Group of Industries in 1984, followed by the shutdown of Son Bhaili Port Land Cement Factory and PPCL Son Ganga Fertilizer Factory in 1992 and 2001, respectively, the region faced a long period of economic stagnation.
In addition to glauconite, limestone mining is scheduled to begin in Kachuar. This is another development expected to provide jobs and boost the local economy. The contract for glauconite mining has sparked a wave of optimism in the area, as Rohtas is the only region in the state where glauconite has been found.
Anil Kumar, District Mining Officer of Rohtas, confirmed that the tender process has been completed. However, he added that no directives have been issued yet from the headquarters. “The tender has been done, but we are awaiting further instructions,” Kumar said.
The resumption of mining in the Kaimur Hills is poised to transform the local economy, offering a fresh start after decades of industrial decline.
