Sanjay Kumar Pandey
Ranchi: Despite abundant deposits of high-quality graphite in Palamu, industries utilizing this valuable resource have not been developed, primarily due to the apathy of local representatives. According to initial surveys, vast graphite reserves exist across various areas of the Palamu, Latehar, and Garhwa districts, including Bishrampur, Hatayi, Tula, Ara, Satwarwa, Panki, Manasoti, and Garu, among others. However, since Jharkhand became a separate state, little effort has been made by the government to fully explore and document these mineral resources. In the 1960s, a central laboratory was established in Hazaribagh for mineral quality assessment, yet a thorough review of the Department of Mines and Geology is needed to identify obstacles and find solutions for evaluating mineral reserves efficiently. Mineral exploration should be prioritized, as the absence of a structured exploration program has led to the stagnation of these resources. Palamu once hosted eight graphite beneficiation plants near its district headquarters, Medininagar. These plants were used to upgrade low-grade graphite to high-quality levels, essential for producing items like crucibles, lubricants, paint, pencils, and carbon brushes. However, most of these plants have either disappeared or are inactive. Due to short-term profit motives, past mining activities did not follow scientific methods, leading to unsustainable extraction practices. The valuable graphite reserves now appear neglected, with several leased areas lying idle for years without any exploration. For future leases, the state government should mandate the installation of beneficiation plants and conduct reserve assessments within five years. If leaseholders fail to meet these requirements, the government should step in and assess the reserves at the leaseholder’s expense. Currently, around 45% of India’s graphite production is used in the refractory industry, 30% in crucible manufacturing, 10% in foundries, and the remaining 15% in other industries. The refined graphite available in Palamu has the potential to support various industries, yet Jharkhand lacks factories producing graphite-based products such as crucibles, lubricants, carbon brushes, and pencils. Medininagar offers enormous potential for establishing these industries, but a lack of initiative from local representatives has kept these opportunities unrealized. Continuous state-level efforts are needed to promote graphite-based industries within Jharkhand.
