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Exploitation of Mica Deposits at Nellore Mica Belt, Andhra Pradesh, India


Affiliations
1 CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad 826 015, India
2 CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Nagpur Unit, Nagpur 440 006, India
 

India is the leading producer of sheet mica and a major part of this is exported. Nellore mica belt is the largest mica-producing area covering part of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, India. As most of the mines are old and privately operated, they are developed and operated purely based on local experiences. In this article, we highlight the problems associated with the present mica-mining practices in the Nellore mica belt, and scientific approaches that have been adopted for fixing different parameters associated with mica extraction. Based on detailed field study, geo-mechanical data and tested rock properties, extensive numerical modelling is done to suggest the best possible method of mining for safe and sustainable mica extraction from the area.

Keywords

Barrier Thickness, Mica Deposits, Overhand Stoping, Pegmatite, Pillar Design.
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  • Exploitation of Mica Deposits at Nellore Mica Belt, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract Views: 585  |  PDF Views: 129

Authors

Subhashish Tewari
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad 826 015, India
Vivek Kumar Himanshu
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad 826 015, India
John Loui Porathur
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Nagpur Unit, Nagpur 440 006, India
Rana Bhattacharjee
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad 826 015, India
Arka Jyoti Das
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad 826 015, India
Prabhat Kumar Mandal
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad 826 015, India

Abstract


India is the leading producer of sheet mica and a major part of this is exported. Nellore mica belt is the largest mica-producing area covering part of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, India. As most of the mines are old and privately operated, they are developed and operated purely based on local experiences. In this article, we highlight the problems associated with the present mica-mining practices in the Nellore mica belt, and scientific approaches that have been adopted for fixing different parameters associated with mica extraction. Based on detailed field study, geo-mechanical data and tested rock properties, extensive numerical modelling is done to suggest the best possible method of mining for safe and sustainable mica extraction from the area.

Keywords


Barrier Thickness, Mica Deposits, Overhand Stoping, Pegmatite, Pillar Design.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv118%2Fi4%2F593-602