Abstract
The occurrence and distribution of the mineral resources on the western continental margin of India, excluding hydrocarbons, are discussed by compiling all the available data. The margin is divided into 4 zones viz: the north-west coast (Gulf of Kutch-Bombay), Konkan coast (Bombay-Mangalore), south-west coast (Mangalore-Cape Comorin) and the Laccadive area. The exploration and assessment of the mineral resources are supported by geological and geophysical evidence. As compared to the south-west coast, the heavy mineral deposits of the Konkan coast contain more rock forming and unstable minerals like augite, hornblende, epidote, zoisite etc. in addition to placer minerals like ilmenite, rutile etc. The south-west and Konkan coasts are promising for heavy mineral exploitation; the Laccadives for calcareous sand and the Vembanad estuary and the Gulf of Kutch for shell deposits. Offshore placer deposits of the Konkan coast are fairly high and widespread compared to its onshore deposits, whereas the offshore placer deposit potential of the south-west coast is yet to be studied. The offshore region of Bombay-Quilon is suggested for detailed exploration for phosphorite deposits. The terrigenous deposits of Kerala and Konkan coasts can be mined by wire-line, bucket ladder and hydraulic dredges depending upon the location and similarly the biogenous deposits of Laccadives, Vembanad estuary and the Gulf of Kutch by hydraulic suction dredges.
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© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers
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Rajendran, S. (1990). A Case Study of the Minerals on the Seabed of the West Coast of India. In: Ardus, D.A., Champ, M.A. (eds) Ocean Resources. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2131-3_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2131-3_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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