Balance Life of Mineral Reserves

                   Estimates at 1996-97 Consumption Levels
----------------------------------------------------------------------
         Mineral                        Recoverable   Balance
                                        reserves as   life at
                                        on 1.1.1997   1996-97
                                           (Million  level of
                                            tonnes)  production
                                                      (years)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fuel Minerals
         Coal
           Coking                          3,740.00       56
           Non-coking                     46,389.00      190
         Crude oil                           796.00       16
         Natural gas (B.Cu.m.)(c)            697.00       23
   Metallic Minerals                                   
         Bauxite                           2,253.00      281
         Chromite                            124.00       51
         Copper                                3.52       64
         Gold (kg.)                       86,273.00       46
         Iron ore                          9,754.00      135
         Lead (b)                              1.36       14
         Manganese ore                        65.52       36
         Zinc (b)                              5.89       38
    Non-metallic Minerals                               
         Dolomite useable grade            4,576.00    1,430
         Kyanite                               1.04       18
         Limestone (SMS grade)            68,477.00      678
         Magnesite                           215.00      294
         Pyrites                              91.00      149
         Rock phosphate high grade             5.99       83
         Sillimanite Massive                  54.25      n.a.
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Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, Bombay
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Last updated: August 1995.