Giridih, Sept. 7: East Singhbhum’s claim to being the only region where magnetite was found in Jharkhand is soon to be shattered.

For, the state’s mining and geological department has found large-scale deposits of magnetite in Giridih.

Three companies — Karuna Devi Agrawala, Mineral Trading Company, Daltongunj, and Khetan Udhyog, Adityapur — after taking prospecting licences from the district mining office here conducted a survey and found magnetite in 147 acres in the three villages of Chergharha, Khedarwa and Belatand of Birni block.

Later, the geology department led by geologist P.K. Singh confirmed the survey report of the three companies. So far magnetite was found only in East Singhbhum region of Jharkhand.

“In the sample survey, 1,37,600 lakh tonnes magnetite were found in these three villages. We hope that after mining work begins, more deposit of iron ore would be found in these areas,” said district mining officer Ratnesh Chandra Burnawal.

So far, six companies, including the three that have got the prospecting licence, have applied for mining licence.

Shiv Shakti Agency, Giridih Mineral & Mines Private Limited and Manoj Kumar Singh are the three other companies that applied for mining lease.

The interest of Khetan Udhyog, Adityapur, is significant as the company also works for Tata Steel.

At present, Giridih too is a good market for iron ore as there are several iron and steel producing units functioning in the district. Giridih has now become one of the few districts of the country where not only mica and coal but also deposits of magnetite have been found. However, in the absence of strategy and planning, the two industries of mica and coal could not flourish well here.

“Giridih has a high grade of coal and stocks of mica also but leaders never paid attention to coming up with strategies for aiding the growth of such industries. Now that magnetite has been found, our leaders should at least pay proper attention to reap the benefits for the people of Jharkhand,” said a higher administration official here.

Sources said that if the state government took interest and conducted high-level surveys here, high grade of iron ore may also be found from Jamua and Deori blocks.

For the state, it is high time to take serious step in this regard, said sources, as after the signing of many memorandums of understanding (MoUs), they are in desperate need of more iron ore reserves.