Geology and Mineral Resources

Kurnool district is well known for cement-flux-and chemical grade limestone, gold, diamonds, clay & ochre and copper ore deposits.  Minor deposits of dimensional stones are also present in the district.  Vempalle Formation of Cuddapah Supergroup, the Narji and Koilkuntla Formations of Kurnool Group contain huge reserves of cement-flux-and chemical grade limestones.  These occur at Malkapuram (15o22’: 77o58’), Betamcherla (15o27’ : 78o10’) Ankireddypalli (15o02’ : 78o03’) and Paniam (15o32’ : 78o21’).   Gold mineralisation is confined to sulphide-rich quartz veins traversing the metavolcanics of Jonnagiri Schist Belt in Dona (15o15’ : 77o35’) and Gavanikonda (15o14’ : 77o34’) areas and in the Gadwal Schist belt at Bastipadu (15o44’ : 77o59’) and Amadaguntla (15o43’ : 77o53’).   Diamonds are found to occur in three different geological milieu in this district.  They are located in the Kimberlites around Chelima (15o26’ : 78o42’), in the conglomerates of Banganapalle Formation around Ramallakota (15o34’ : 78o00), Banganapalle (15o19’ : 78o14’) Munimadugu (15o16’ : 77o58’), Allahabad (15o17’ : 78o00)’ Tammarajupalle (15o32’40” : 78o14’) and Yambai (15o33’ : 78o08’), and in the gravels along Krishna river between Kurnool and Siddeshwaram (16o01’ : 78o20’).

Clay and ochre (yellow and red) deposits are found in Vempalle, Narji and Owk Formations at Betamcherla (15o27’ : 78o10’), Ambapuram (15o23’ : 78o06’), Ramallakota, Praema (15o30’50” : 78o37’) and Palakuru (15o25’ : 78o15’).  Ochre as fault infillings is noticed near Veldurti (15o33’ : 77o56’).  These clays and ochres can be used in the manufacture of stoneware, sanitaryware, sewer pipes and as filler in paper industry.   Copper mineralisation occurs around Gani (15o36’ : 78o19’) and Kalava (15o38’ : 78o12’) in the form of disseminations within the basic intrusive and Tadpatri shales.  Lead-zinc mineralisation associated with copper is found in dolomite of Cumbum Formation in Chelima area.  Massive Pyrite occurs in association with metavolcanics of Jonnagiri Schist Belt.   Specular haematite occurs between Ramallakota and Veldurti along a fault zone.  Iron ore reserve of 3.7 m.t has been estimated upto a depth of 30m.   Phosphorite as pellets, fragments and nodules occurs in Cumbum Formation in Chelima-Pachcherla (15o24’ : 78o42’) area.   Barytes occurs as vein deposit in Vempalle Dolomite near Nallamekalapalli (15o07’ : 77o47’), Narayanapuram (15o09’ : 77o47’), Hussainpuram (15o14’ : 77o50’), Rangapuram (15o16’ : 77o49’), Kamalapuram (15o21’ : 77o56’).  Erraguntla (15o23’ : 77o56’) and Ramapuram (15o17’30” : 77o52’).  Vein barites at the contact of basic sills with Tadpatri Shale is reported from Peddapaya (15o10’ : 77o50’15”) and Boyanapalle (15o08’ : 77o50’). Near Chinna Ahobilam (15o08’ : 78o41’) barytes veins are located along fractures/shears within Bairekonda Quartzite.   Apart from the above mineral resources, this district has abundant reserves of dimensional stones.  Flaggy limestone popularly known as “Cuddapah Slab” is extensively quarries at Betamcherla for flooring purpose.  Dolomite and serpentinised dolomite of Vempalle Formation are also used for this purpose.  Pink granite, gneiss and dolerite occurring around Adoni (15o37’ : 77o16’), Billekallu (15o29’30” : 77o27’), Krishnagiri (15o34’ : 77o50), Jonnagiri (15o14’ : 77o34’) and Peravali are used as dimensional stones.

GEOMORPHOLOGY, GEOHYDROLOGY AND LANDUSE: GEOMORPHOLOGY:

The landscape of the terrain in Kurnool district is dominated by the Erramala    and Nallamalai Hill Ranges in the east and by low undulating terrain in the west.  The various geomorphic units delineated have a direct bearing on the utilisation of the terrain.  The pediplains in the western part are ideal for agriculture, urbanisation and industrial development.

SOIL TYPES :  

Soils are broadly classified as (i) zonal (ii) Azonal and (iii) Intra zonal types.  The soils occurring in Kurnool district belong to the first and the last category.  Red sandy soils belonging to the zonal type occur in the central part of the district.  These soils support good crops if properly manured.  Irrigation is necessary for successful agriculture.  Intra zonal soils are further subclassified as (I) Deep black soils, and (ii) Mixed red and black soils.  The deep black soils occur all along the northern periphery of the district.  Agriculture is generally successful in these soils.  The mixed red and black soils are present in the western and eastern part of the district.  They are moderately productive and give good crop yields if irrigated.

LANDUSE:  

The arable land dominates all the other types (forest grassland and shrub).  This is distributed through out the district with intermittent patches of forest and grassland.

GEOHYDROLOGY:  

The quality of groundwater varies from place to place depending on the geological environment, climate, drainage conditions and pollution.  The groundwater in the western part of the district, where Archaean unclassified crystalline rocks are exposed, is generally neutral to alkaline with its value of pH ranging from 7.00 to 8.5.  The chloride content here ranges from 28 to 525 ppm.  The quality of groundwater in Cuddapah and Kurnool Formations is generally inferior in the central and eastern part of the district.  The total dissolved soilds in many places exceed 1000 ppm. Water is generally alkaline in nature with pH from 7.3 to 8.4.  The chloride content ranges from 40 to 230 ppm.  Saline zones exist in parts of Nandyal and Allagadda taluks where chloride content is more than 500 ppm.   The district has been demarcated into several zones in respect of the availability of groundwater resources.  Pattikonda (15o24’: 77o30’30”), Devanakonda (15o32’: 77o36’) areas in the gneissic terrain and Nandivargam (15o25’ : 78o11’) and Uyyalavada (15o07’ : 78o24’) in the sedimentary terrain are excellent in terms of groundwater yield potential (1-10lps). Kosigi (15o51’ : 77o14’), Nandavaram (15o15’: 77o29’) Emmiganuru (15o47’: 77o29’) Kurnool (15o50’: 78o03’), Velugodu (15o43’30”: 78o34’), Nandyal (15o29’: 78o29’) and Allagadda (15o08’: 78o31’) areas are also good locations of moderate groundwater potential (1-5lps).

GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS  

The district has been demarcated into six “Engineering Geological Provinces” on the basis of bearing capacity/compressive strength and foundation characteristics of the rock types.  The bearing capacity/compressive strength ranges from medium (500 kg cm2) to very high (1500-2900kg/cm) and the foundation characteristics vary from fair to excellent.  The gneissic terrain in the west has medium bearing capacity and good foundation characteristics.  The major part of this district falls in seismic zone-I, (ISI, 1971) which signifies, stable nature of the terrain.  The district, which is endowed with vast surface water resources, sustains several irrigation projects, which are shown in the map.

MANDAL INDEX OF KURNOOL DISTRICT
SI.No.	Mandal No.	Name of Mandai	SI.No.	Mandal No	Name of Mandai
1.	01.	Kurnool	28.	28.	C. Belagal
2.	02.	Nandikotkur	29.	29.	Gudur
3.	03.	Pagidala	30.	30.	Kallur
4.	04.	Kothapalle	31.	31.	Orvakal
5.	05.	Srisailam	32.	32.	Midtur
6.	06.	Atmakur	33.	33.	Jupadu Bangalow
7.	07.	Velgodu	34.	34.	Pamulapadu
8.	08.	Bandiatmakur	35.	35.	Gadivemula
9.	09.	Mahanandi	36.	36.	Nandyal
10.	10.	Rudravaram	37.	37.	Gospad
11 .	11.	Allagadda	38.	38.	Siruvel
12.	12.	Chagalamarri	39.	39.	Dornipadu
13.	13.	Uyyalawada	40.	40.	Koilkuntla
14.	14.	Sanjamala	41.	41.	Ba naga napalli
15.	15.	Kolimigundla	42.	42.	Bethamcherla
16.	16.	Owk	43.	43.	Dhone
17.	17.	Peapaly	44.	44.	Krislmagiri
18.	18.	Tuggali	45.	45.	Devenakonda
19.	19.	Maddikera	46.	46.	Pattikonda
20.	20.	Chippagiri	47.	47.	Alur
21.	21.	Halaharvi	48.	48.	Arpari
22.	22.	Holagunda	49.	49.	Peddakadbur
23.	23.	Adoni	50.	50.	Yemmiganur
24.	24.	Kowtllalam	51.,	51.	Gonegandla
25.	25.	Kosigi	52.	52.	Kodumur
26.	26.	Manthralayam	53.	53.	Veldurthy
27.	27.	Nandavaram	54.	54.	Panyam

GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF KURNOOL DISTRICT

INTRODUCTION

Kurnool district,\ covers a total area of 17,658 Sq. km, consists of 54 mandalas and lies between latitudes14 Deg 54 Min : 16 Deg 18 Min and longitude 76 Deg 58 Min: 79 Deg 34 Min. The district is bounded on thenorth by Mahaboobnagar district, on the east by Prakasam district, on the west by Bellary district of KarnatakaState and on the south by Ananthapur and Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh.

PHYSIOGRAPHY

The Nallamalais and Erramalias constitute the principle hill ranges in the district. The average altitutde ofthe Nallamalais is 600 metres. The highest point in the range is Manikonda (909 metres). The other prominantpeak is Durgaonda (851 metres).

Drainage

The important rivers flowing in the district are the Tungabhadra, its tributories, the Handri, the Krishna andthe Kunderu. Tungabhadra rises in the western ghats and forms the northern boundary between Kurnool andMahabubnagar districts. The Handri drains Pattikonda and Dhone areas and joins Tungabhadra near Kurnooltown. Kunderu is a tributory of the river Pennar which rises on the western side of the Erramalais and flows inthe southern direction thorough Nandikotkur, Nahdyal, Allagadda and Koilakuntla and enters Cuddapah district.In adition to these, small streams Sogileru, Rallavagu, Munimaduguleru, Bandrapavagu and Sudamvagu,Paleru, Gandaleru and Bhavanari drains the district.

GEOLOGICAL HISTORY

The district is situated within the stable shield of Indian Peninsula. The oldest rocks exposed in the districtare a group of metamorphic rocks of early precambrian or Archaean era. They comprise of quartzites, phyllites,schists, gneisses, migmatites, granites and amphibiolites. These rocks have been highly folded and intruded intoby granites. The composite gneisses associated with granites were formed as a result of the injection of graniticmagma along weak planes in the pre-existing rocks and reaction between them. Apart from this, there are periodsof erosion and non-deposition of sediments known as the Eparchaean interval, ensued when there was acessation of earth movement and igneous activity and the country was exposed to denudation.

This prolonged period of dormancy came to a close when in the late precambrian times a large tract of landin the district and adjacent districts formed into a stlallow sea. Sediments started accumulating in the basinreferred to asCuddapah basin. The sedimentary rocks of the Cuddapah Super group comprises of conglom-erates, quartzites, shales, dolomite, limestones and chert. The floor of the sea was unstable and it sunk periodically., Land conditions appear to have prevailed intermittantly in this region before the deposition of theCuddapah sedimentation was completed. Further, in the early Cuddapah times, there was intermitant volcanicactivity, when lavas of basic igneous rocks in the form of sills intruded the cuddapah formations. When thedeposition of cuddapah sediments ended, the region was uplifted and the strata tilted, fractured and exposed to denudation.

With the passage of time, the basin in the west was again submerged beneath a shallow sea and in theupper precambrian and cambrian times, the sedimentary rocks of Kurnool group comprising of limestones,shales, quartzites and conglomerates were deposited.

The overlapping nature of the different formations and the lateral variation in the thicknss of Kurnool stratasuggest that the basin in which the Kurnool sediments accumalated was unstable wittl frequents oscillations ofthe sea level. In the post Kurnool times, the Cuddapatl basin was again uplifted and along its eastern margin,the Kurnools and Cuddapahs were folded, the later more severely.

DESCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OFTHE DIFFERENT ROCK FORMATIONS IN THE DISTRICT

ARCHAEANS

These rocks occupy the western part of the district exposed in Adoni, Alur, Pattikonda areas. Granites andcomposite gneisses are the dominant rock types. Amphiboli! ;’~. hornblende schists, quartzites, phyllites, chloriteschists and mica schists are very much restricted in their extent and confined to small patches. The schists are highly folded. The composite gneisses are grey in colour and show alternate banding of quartz and felspar withthose of biotite or hornblende. The granites are seen in pink, grey, and with massive, gneissic fine-to-coarsegrained and porphyritic texture. The granites are composed of potash feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, biotite andhornblende. Numerous felsites, pegmatites quartz veins and dykes of dolerite have intruded into the granites.

CUDDAPAHS

The rocks of Cuddapah Super group mostly occupy the eastern part of the district, roughly 100 Km longin N-S (roughly) 50 Km wide extending westwards from Nallamalai range. The northern and eastern parts ofAtmakur, eastern parts of Nandyal, and east of Allagadda are occupied by Cuddapah formations. They areconcealed by the younger Kurnool formations.

The Cuddapah sediments are over 6000 metres in thickness. They are subdivisible into Papagni Group.Chitravathi Group, Nallamalai Group and Krishna Group.

The basal Papagni Group is represented by Guvvalacheruvu quartzites at the base and the Vempallidolomites and shales at the top resting on the Archaeans. They are exposed over and areaJrom north of Gootyto Dhone as a strip where it takes an easterly swing. From Bukkapuram it takes anortherlly bend. In Pendekalregion, they are overlain by Kurnool Group of rocks. They are reexposednear east of Veldurthy and extends northnorth east to east of Kumool town. The maximum width of this strip is 1 0 Km. The Gulcherus are seen west ofthe strip whereas the Vempally in the east. The dips are gentletovvards ESE or S. In theVeldurthy – Kalva area,the Gulcheruvu and Vempallies have faulted along with Chitravathi Group of rocks. The faults have east-north-east and west-south-west or east-west trends.

The Gulcheruvu formations comprise of conglomerates, quartzites, sanqstOlles and grit with intercalated shale bands near Pyapalli having a thickness of 60 metres. The conglamorateis polymiticand consists ofrounded pebbles of granite, quartzites, chert and haematite. The quartzites are grey, red, buff or dirty white incolour. Primary structures such as ripple marks and current bedding suggests a shallow water deposition.

The Vempalli formations comprises of dolomite, shale, thin bands of HOiestone, quartzite, chert andchalcedony silica. In the area north of Dhone, they have a thickness of 1680 metres and near Peapully 1130metres. They generally form conical and rounded hills with scanty vegetation. The dolomites show variousshades of grey colour. Dolitic texture is developed in dolomites. Towards the top of the Vempalli stage, there arevolcanic flows of andesite and basaltic composition with the development of vesicular structures.

The Vempally and Gulcheruvu formaitons were intruded by sills of dolerite, bas aU and diorite. The fracturesin VempaHy form good channel ways for mineralising fluids associated with the intrusives. Deposits of barytes,steatite are associated with the Vempally dolomites. High grade limestones are also formed due to desilicificationat the contact of sills and dolomites.

CHITTRAVATHI GROUP

Overlying the Papagni Group are the Pulivendla quc:itz:tes and Tadpatri shales at the top. These rocksare mainly developed around Dhone, Banganapalli areas over a narrow belt. The PUlivendla formationscomprises ot conglamorates and quartzites of brown, pink or Grey colours. They show shallow water deposition conditions as evidenced by ripple marks and current bedding. The Tadpatri shale formations are relatively poorin limestones, quartzites and cherts. There are volcanic flows of andesilic and basaUic composition duringTadpatri period. The Tadpatris were also intruded by sills and dykes of basalt, dolerite and gabbro.

NALLAMALLAI GROUP

The Nallamallai Group overlying the Chitravathi Group comprises of Bairenkonda quartzites formaiton atthe bottom and Cumbum shales at the top. Bairenkonda Group of rocks occupy the plains, in between Nallamallairange, while the Cumbum shales the eastern part of the range, plains and hills to the east and extend beyondthe district boundaries. Nallamallai Group of rocks are highly folded and intruded by dolorites, prophyritic rocksof alkaline composition, and rocks of probable Kimberlite composition. The Bairenkonda quartzites are brown,pink, grey or greenish in colour and at places they are ferrugenous. They exhibit ripple marks and current bedding. . The Cumbum formations comprise of shales, slates and phyllites of varigated colours. Numerous bands oflimestones and quartzites occur intercalated in them. There are bands of haematite, dolomite and chert. The Cumbums are extensively traversed by quartz veins. At places they contain crystals of magnetite.

KURNOOL GROUP

The Kurnool Group of rocks are mainly composed of limestones and calcarious shales and attained athickness of about 600 metres. It is divisible into four formaitons, viz.

• Kundair formaiton
• Paniam formation
• Jammulamadugu formation
• Banganapalli formation

The Banganapalli formation onsists of quartzites, sandstones and conglomerates, exposed at Bangana-palli, Nandavaram, Nandyal, Gani, Mithur and Nandikotkur areas. They are horizontal or show gentle dips. Thebasal conglomerate is made up of clasts of shale, chert, .!asrE!r, quartzite in a sandy or clr1yey matrix. Diamondsare picked up from these conglomerate. The quartzites and sandstone are medium to coarse grained, grey in colour.

The Jammalamadugu Group overlies the Banganapalli formation comprises of Narji limestones at thebase and Owk shales at the top. They are exposed at Koilakuntla, Dhone, Nandyal, Nandi kotkur and Kurnool.The Narji limestones are massive and and varigated in cofour intercalated with shale and quartzite bands. TheNarji formation contain enormous limesotne reserves.

The Panyam Group of rocks which comprises of the plateau quartzites at the bottom and the pinnaclequartzites at the top, constitute the flat topped ridges and plateau to the west of Kunderu plains.

The Kundair formarmations are the youngest of Kurnool Group comprising of Koilakuntla beds at thebottom and Nandyal shales at the top. They attain a thickness ranging from 60 to 300 metres and exposed inthe plains of Kunderu river, south of Allagadda to north of Atmakur. The Koilakuntlas consists of grey, massiveor flaggy,limestones, while the Nandyals are made up of calcareous shale and shaly limestone.

RECENT AND ALLUVIUM FORMATION

These formation inClude alluvium, gravel and clacareous tufa. They have not attained good thickness due to erosion, mainly fluvial.

MINERAL RESOURCES OF KURNOOL DISTRICT

Kurnool district is well known for its mineral resources especially for limestone deposits. Limestones ofthis district are of flagstones, cement grade limestones used by MIS Panyam Cements and Mineral Industriesnear Bugganipalli and high calcium limestone used in ci,ell,i(;dl and other industries near Dhone.

Narji limstone are found in Dhone, Kurnool, Nandikotkur, Koilakunta and in several areas of the district.The Narji limestones contain both the massive and flaggy limestones. The massive deposits are used in cementmanufacture while the flags are quarried as building material. Major outcrops of Narji limestones are found atSathanikota, Bukkapuram and Bethemcherla. ‘A brie~ discription of each of these areas is given below:

SATHANIKOTA : South of Sathanikota, onthe sOl,Jthem bank of Thungabhadra in Nandikotkur calcareous flags and fine grained limestones are recognisable wliic~are~somewhat massive, light to ash grey in clour.Bukkapuram : Limestones are seen along a ridge nearJ3ukkapuram. The limestone in this area are of three types consisting of light grey brown or pink colured, spli~tery limestone at the bottom, massive thick bedded light to darkbluish or ash grey limestones in the middle and dark grey calcare’ous flags at the top.

BETHAMCHERLA : Narji limistone in this area is composed of bands of varying thickness, differing in physical and chemical characters. Seven different bands of cement grade limestones have been recognised based ontheir colour and other physical characters. Mis Panyam Cements & Mineral Industries are mining theselimestones for their cement plant at Cement Nagar. Some of the bands are actually exploited for buildingpurposes near Bethamcherla.

KOILAKUNTLA : Koilakuntla limestones are mostly light grey calcareous flags, and massive grey limestones. These are seen at the out crop along the course of Kunderu river. They are found at Appalapuram, Varukur nearKurnool, at Nagaluti and Nandikotkur and southern parts of Sirvel. The Koilkuntla limestones are quarriedextensively at places like Vyalawada & Joladursi etc., for use as building stones (slabs).

VARAKUR AREA: Koilakuntla limestones overlying the pinnacle quartzites are seen to the north and east of Varakur. The limestones are nearly horizontal and are flaggy. These limestones are being quarried extensivelyfor use as slabs.

NAGALUTI AREA: The limestones of this area are a continuation of those at Varakur and are grey and flaggy.The limestones at base are thick bedded slaby and splintary. They are overlain by the calcareous flags.

ANKIREDDYPALLI AREA: The G.S. I. conducted detailed investigations by drilling in Narji limestones near Ankireddypalli. The investigations revealed the occurances of both flux grade and cement grade limestones inthis area. The total reserves of flux grade limestone in this area are of the order 47 million tonnes of measuredcategory and 25 million tonnes of indicated category over an area of 4.68 sq.Km. The average analysis of fluxgrade limestone ranges as follws :

CaO 45 to 49%, MgO 0.3 to 1.6%, SI02 7.3 to 10.5%

Bands of cement grade limestone are also identified in the area. The top band upto 20 metres thicknessoverlies the flux grade limestone band. The thickness of the second band is 7 to 22 metres occuring within theflux grade limestone. Reserves of cement grade limestonein this area are of the order of 20 million tonnes.Average analysis of these limestones is CaO 40 to 46%, MgO 0.32 to 1.2%, insolubles upto 19%.

HIGH CALCIUM LIMESTONE: High grade tuffaceous limeslones are found at various places in Kurnool district,calctufa is best developed in Vempalli and Narji horizones close to perennial water courses.

The tuffaceous limestones are white to dirty white in colour. It is hard and porous. Large deposits of calctufaare found near Madhavaram, Itikyala and Ramabadrapalli in Koilakuntla area, Palkur, Ramathirtham, Nandav-aram in Bugganipalli area and Bhogeswaragudi in Nandyal area. The deposits of Dilone sector are the richestin terms of quality.

Buff to light coloured high grade limestones occur near Malkapuram railway station. These are hard,massive very rich in calcium content and believed to have been formed as a result of contact effect of dolomiteswith dolerite sills in Vempalli formation. These limestones are being supplied to calcium carbide plant at Hagariand to other paper and chemical industries in the state and outside the state. There are 49 mining leases of which41 are working.

G.S.I. investigated these areas for similar occurances, as this type of limestone is in great demand. Theycould indicate two or three probable horizons in Vempalli dolomite in Dhone sector with a probable reserve of 5to 6 million tonnes.

IRON ORE: Iron ore occurs as fault fillings in association with cherts and quartzites at Veldurthy, Kalugotla,I Ramallakota, Sarparajapuram and Emboy. The ore is haematite with 63% of Fe content. Visual estimation of : reserves of Iron ore is around 4.5 million tonnes. There are 14 mining leases in the district. Presently the ore I is being sent to the sponge iron plant at Palvoncha.I

CLAYS: These are the products of alteration of shales and occur also as beds in associatoin with yellow ochre I’ in Kurnool formation in Bethamcherla, Ambapuram, Ramallakota, Paibagula, Gani, Palkur, Nandavaram, ChinnaIIMalkapuram, Kommamarri, Jaladurgam R.F., Peapully of Uhone and Nandyal areas. The total reserves arearound 11 million tonnes. There are 26 mining leases of which 18 are working.

STEATITE: Steatite occurs as bands, lenses and laminations in association with serpentinised dolomitic zones within the Vempalli formation. Low and inferior grades of steatite occur in Dhone sector and are being used inthe manufacture of insecticides and pesticides.

OCHRES: Ochres are alteration products of ferrugenous calcarious shales and sandstones. Ochre occurs atBethamcherla, Ganikalva, Veldurthi, Ramallakota, Ambapuram, Nereducherla, Diguvapadu, Loddipalli andVyyalawada. There are 11 mining leases of which 10 are working.

ASBESTOS: Asbestos occurs as cross fibre within serpentinised zones at the contact between dolomitic limestones and sills at Malkapuram and Chinna Malkapauram in Dhone sector. Investigations have not showneconomic viability of the deposits.

DIAMONDS: Diamond occurances are reported from Banganapalli, Munimadugu, Ramallakota, EmboyandThammarajupalli in Banganapalli and Dhone areas. The GSI, NM DC and DMG have carried out exploration nearMunimadugu and Allahabad. Even now diamonds are picked up mannually after rains at the localities close tothe conglomerate out crops.

GOLD: There are old working for gold in hornblende schist and amphibolite at Jonnagiri, Pathikonda of Kurnooldistrict.

COPPER: Copper occurs near Gani, Bastipadu, Jonnagiri, Mommamarri and Somayaju lapalli villages. The GSI, NGRI and the DMG have conducted investigations near Gani. Drilling was also conducted on the suggestionsmade by NGRI. A reserve of 1.29 million tonnes of copper ore with 1.37% Cu over a strike length of 1,100 metresand upto a depth of 300 metres was proved in Gani area.

BARYTES : In the Kurnool district, barytes mineralisation in the form of veins is confined to the upper horizon of Vempalli formation comprising of dolomite, limestones, chert bands and chert breccia. Near Gargeyapurambarytes mineralisation is associated with chert and chertified stromatolites. It can also be seen with chertifiedalgal structure. The thickness of barytes veins has been noticed to vary from 3 to 3.5 metres.

The Barytes mineralisaiton occuring as veins along the fissures or joint planes within the trap rock is mostlyof pure white to off-white colour as compared to the occurances noticed within the limestone and quarzites.

Barytes occurs at Logutupalli, Peddapaya, Nallamikalapalli, Narayanapuram, Chandrapalli, Hussainapuram,Rangapuram, Ramapuram, Malkapuram, Kamalapuram, Boyanapalli, Valasala, Gargeyapuram, Kothapalli,Bugganapalli, B!Jkkapuram, Balapalapalli, Bethamcherla, Bhavipadu, Kolumulapalli, Musalayacheru of Dhone,Kurnool, Nandyal and Sirvel taluks as veins, lenses and stringers associated with quartzites and Vempallidolomitic limestones. Off colour, white and snow white barytes occurs in this district, the reserves are estimatedat 1.7 lakh tannes. The mineral is used in paint industry.

GRANITES: Pink granite available in Adoni area of Kurnool district have been in good demand and are marketed under the trade n?me of “Adoni Red”. The western part of the district falling in the erstwhile taluks of Adoni, Aluru,Emmiganur, Path konda etc., is covered by the Peninsular granitic gneisses. Pink granites of Adoni area areintrusive gneisses. These pink granites are extensively quarried near and around Adoni, Ballekallu, Doddanakiri,Rangapuram etc. The inter-mixing of pink granites and granitic gneisses has resulted in multi-co loured graniteswhich are quar, ied around Kollekollu, Manthirika, Kuppagallu etc. Apart from these, dolerite dykes are also beingworked in this district as black granite especially near Krishnagiri and Yerukalachervu villages.

MINERAL BASED INDUSTRIES IN KURNOOL DISTRICT

Kurnool district is endowed with vast mineral resources like limestone, barytes, steatite, clay, iron ore andmineral pigments like red and yellow ochre. Besides, building stones and limstone useful as flooring slabs arealso available in plenty.

LIMESTONE: “Calc Tufa” a type of limestone useufl in the manufacture of chemical and in sugar and paper industries occurs in Dhone, Banganapalli, Koilakuntla, Nandikotkur and Nandyal mandals. The resources oflimestone are estimated to contain 3.7 million tonnes. A calcium carbide plant and Rayalaseema paper mills wereestablished basing on this chemical grade limestone available at Dhone mandaI. Besides this, large resourcesof limestone useful in cement industries are found in this district. There is a major cement plant in the district by :larne Mis panyam Cement and Mineral Industries with an installed capacity of 1400 TPD.

STEATITE: Steatite useful in oer and soap industries are avaialble at Muddavaram, Balapalapalli, Pendakal, Chandrapapalli villages of Dhc Ie mandaI. 90% of steatite from the total production is being sent to otherdestinations in Karnataka andamilnadu.

CLA Y: Large deposits of clay are available at Kommamarri, Boyapalli, Bethamcherla, Nandavaram, Malkapuram villages of Dhone mandaI. It is suggestable to set UP ceramic tiles industry either at Peapally or at Bethamcerla.

SILICA SAND: Large deposits of silica sand is found associated with panyam quartzites near Orvakal, Puricherla, Kalva, Kamarolu villages of Kurnool mandalam. It contains 99.62% of silica with less iron which issuitable in glass-industry. Hence, it is suggested to set up a glass industry at Kurnool town.

QUARTZ: Quartz deposits are found in Gorantla, Laddagiri villages of Kodumur mandai and Kaptralla village of Pattikonda mandaI. The Quartz available here is suitable for the manufacture of silicon carbide, ferrosilicon,glass and sodium silicate. Hence, basing on the quartz reserves available the above industries are suggestedin

.this district.

IRON ORE: Nearly 3.7 million tonnes of Iron ore with 60 to 65% Fe is available in this district, prominent deposits are found at Ramallakota, Veldunhy, Sarparajapuram, Kalugotla. The Iron ore deposit available here is free fromphosphorous and it is useful in sponge iron industry. Hence, at Veldurthy a sponge Iron Industry is suggestedto be set up.

OCHRES: Superior quality yellow ochre forthe manufacture of paints and other domestic uses occur mostly near and around Bethamcherla, Veldurthy, Rama-liakota villages of Dhone mandaI. At present, yellow ochre is being utilised in ceramic tiles industry. Hence, Bethamcherla village is a suitable location for setting up a ceramicindustry.

BARYTES : Important occurances of bartyes are found near Hussainapuram, Valasala, Chinnamalkapuram, Balapalapalli, Ahobilam villages of Dhone and Allagadda mandals.. It is useful in paint industry as a filler and inthe manufacture of barium chemicals.

NAPA SLABS: There are about 120 polishing units established at Bethamcherla, Dhone, Ramapuram, Cherlapalli based on napa slabs available at Palkur, Gorlagutta, Racherla, Nereducherla, Chlerlapalli, Ititkala,Chlintalayapalli, Ankireddypalli villages. The polished slabs of black, white, pink, light green types are beingsupplied to every nook and corner within the state and also outside. The unpolished limestone slabs are beingconsumed locally and are being supplied to other parts of the state. It is a good building stone used for flooringand roofing. Few more polishing units at Bethamcherla, based on the napa slabs available in aroundBethamcherla, can be started.

GRANITES: In recent period granite export has taken a prominent place in earning foreign exchange to the country. Black Granites, Pink Granites, Porphyritic Granite are being exported from the villages like Bellakallu,Rangapuram, Kapti villages of Adoni mandai and Krishnagiri village in Veldurthy mandaI. Hence, export orientedpolishing units can be set up at Adoni.

CHIPSTONE : Lemon yellow and light green serpentine along with white dolomite and various shades of limestone are being used as chipstone. At present there are about 40 ctlipstone factories situated at. Bethamcherla, Malkapuram and Dhone based on the chipstone available at Valasala, Malkapuram, Rangapuram,Kothapally and Bethamcherla. There is a scope to establish few more chipstone factories based on the chipstoneavailable in the above area. The chipstone after crushing into various sizes it being transported to other statesmainly to Maharastra, Karnataka and Tamilnadu besides being consumed in our state.