Potash reserve found 450 metres below surface in 2 Punjab districts, further exploration on: minister
Although auctioning rights rest with Centre, royalty will benefit Punjab: Mining Minister Goyal
4 min read
Potash will be extracted using an advanced drilling system with zero impact on land ownership. (Express File) Punjab Mining Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal Thursday said no land would be acquired for mining potash in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts, where extensive surveys had earlier detected large reserves of the mineral in three mining blocks.
“Potash will be extracted using an advanced drilling system with zero impact on land ownership. Additionally, the government is conducting a thorough environmental and social impact assessment before starting operations,” Goyal said.
He was talking to farmers from Kabarwala, Sarawan Bodla and Kattianwali villages of Lambi Assembly segment in Fazilka protesting against the mining for potash, fearing the government would acquire their land.
Extensive survey by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) led to the discovery of large potash reserves in three mining blocks in Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts of southwest Punjab. The Punjab government has approved mining in the Kabarwala block. Once the central government completes the auctioning process, extraction will commence.
Goyal, who inspected Sherewala and Shergarh potash reserves sites, sat with the protesting farmers on the road to pacify them but the farmers insisted the minister must give the same assurance in writing.
BKU (Rajewal)’s Fazilka district president Sukhmander Singh in a video message said, “The minister visited Fazilka villages on Thursday afternoon, but farmers are still in doubts. They will protest against the government if the land is acquired. We are not convinced by the verbal assurance by the minister. The minister needs to give in writing that no land will be acquired.”
“Potash deposits are found about 450 metres below the surface. The three mining blocks with potash reserves — Kabarwala (Muktsar Sahib), Sherewala and Ramsara (Fazilka) and Shergarh and Dalmir Khera (Fazilka) — are spread over nearly 18 square kilometres, with further exploration underway in surrounding areas,” the minister said addressing a press conference in Fazilka.
Goyal said preliminary surveys indicated adjacent districts could also have substantial reserves, prompting continued exploration.
“India imports 50 lakh (5 million) tonnes of potash annually, primarily used in fertilisers and industries. With the newly identified reserves in Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts, Punjab has become the first state in the country to have significant potash deposits,” said Goyal.
Punjab Mining Department Director Abhijit Kaplish said, “The Geological Survey of India, a scientific body which conducts surveys, had for the first time in 1980 conducted surveys of several boreholes at different locations in Punjab. From 2017 onwards, regular surveys were being conducted. The discovery of reserves is part of GSI’s ongoing surveys. The Kabarwala block has come to the auctioning stage, which the Centre will conduct.”
Economic boost
“The potash mining in Punjab will create new employment opportunities and drive regional economic development,” The minister said.
Goyal emphasised, “This initiative aligns with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s vision of making Punjab economically self-reliant through mining. Although the auctioning rights rest with the central government, the royalty will benefit Punjab.”
Revenue generation
In 2024, Punjab earned Rs 288 crore from sand and gravel mining, Goyal said, adding, “As many as 104 new mining sites will be operational soon. Moreover, 27 locations along rivers in Punjab have been identified for sand mining to boost the state’s revenue.”
MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna (Fazilka), MLA Amandeep Singh Goldy Musafir (Balluana), MLA Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj (Jalalabad), Director of Mining Abhijeet Kaplish, Geological Survey of India Director Soyam Ranjan Mahapatra, Deputy Commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu, SSP Varinder Singh Brar, Executive Engineer Jagsir Singh and Supervising Engineer Rajan Dhingra accompanied Goyal to the press conference.
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