Finding a New Coal Seam in Chandra Area, Surguja District, Chattisgarh, India

Abstract

A new coal seam is being reported in Chandra area (23°03'00" to 23°10'00" N, and 83°10'00" to 83°20'00" E), located southeast of Ambikapur, the district headquarter of Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, falling in Survey of India, Toposheet 64 M/8. This area is located to the southeast of well known Bisrampur and east of Lakhanpur coalfields in south Rewa Gondwana Masterbasin. Lithostratigraphic sequence of the Chandra area comprises granitegneisses, phyllite belonging to the Palaeo to Mesoproterozoic forming the western extension of Chhotanagpur Gneissic complex, and the Lower Gondwana Group comprising the Talchir Formation mainly represented by boulder beds (tilloid) and green shale overlain by the Barakar Formation comprising mainly sandstone (fluvial sequence). Barakar sandstone overlaps onto the granite gneiss (basement) at some places. Barakar Formation. Exposed in northeast of Chandra village contains coal seam of around 1.50 m thick is exposed in a nala section. Analysis results show that coal present in the area contains high volatile matters (21.65% to 31.10 %) and high ash yield which varies from 12.12 % to 51.90 % and grade of G2, G8 and G14, with useful heat value ranging between 6525 to1326 K Cal/kg. With the development of the Bisrampur coalfield and the railway line connecting Ambikapur with Annuppur (on South Eastern Railway) it is possible to develop mines in Chandra area.