A technical note on tungsten occurrences in Rajasthan prepared by me

1. TUNGSTEN OCCURRENCES IN RAJASTHAN
By
Rakesh G.Goswami,
Geological-Mining Consultant,
Jodhpur,Rajasthan.
Tungsten is a metal of strategic importance. It finds use in
making of cutting tools, special steel for defence purposes. Following
paragraphs give a brief outline of tungsten mineral occurences in the
state of Rajasthan:-
1. Degana, Distt. Nagaur:-
This deposit is located 5 kms. NW of Degana railway station.
Tungsten mineralisation was discovered in 1913. Mining
commenced in 1916 and and continued up to 1989. In this
deposit tungsten(Wolframite) occurs in 3 hillocks vij. Rewat,
Tikkali & Phyllite. Mineral is associated with quartz veins
located along shear zones in granite and also as stock works in
above hills. Tungsten also occurs as alluvial deposit around foot
hills. The mine was worked in part by DMG, RSMDC and
H.Z.L. I.B.M. has carried out systematic exploration and
computed following reserves.
(i) Lode deposit - 53000 Metric tonnes with 0.54% WO3
(ii) Alluvial deposit - 3.3 Million tonnes with 0.04% WO3
(iii) Stock works - 2.5 Million tonnes with 0.25% WO3
Degana has been the largest mine in country for Tungsten . Its area
is 201.44 hectare. Total reserves in the country are 50.22 M.T. out
which Rajasthan has 6.25 MT reserves, i.e. 12% of country's total
reserves. Regular mining stopped at Degana in the year 1989. Since
then only old dumps of excavated material are treated to produce
concentrates. The treatment comprises crushing, grinding, primary
and secondary gravity separation, floatation. Treatment is essential
because Wolframite the main tungsten mineral is associated with
quartz, mica, felspar, sulphide and topaz.

2. 2.Balda, Distt. Sirohi:-
This area is around 6 kms NE of Sirohi. Here the mineralisation is
localised in quartz pegmatite veins related to Erinpura granite suite.
Greisnisation is very prominent. Worlframilte and Ferberite are the
main minerals. flourite of +90% CaF2 occurs as gangue mineral and
can also be utilised. Almost the entire area lies in forest.
3.Kararavav-Bhimana, Distt. Pali:-
This area is located along the western margins of Aravalli hills.
Here scheelite bearing skarns were located during departmental
survey between 1984 to 1987. Skarns are developed at the
contact of impure limestone and granite Apart from scheelite,
other minerals are calcite diopside, epidote and quartz.
Departmental drilling in this area has indicated that at depth
scheelite mineralisation is quite feable. Incidently this mineral is
Calcium Tungastate and currently is not being used as an ore.
Recommendation:- It is clear from above that Degana deposit is the
only locality which can be further developed.