Jamshedpur, July 7: The mines and geology department has hit upon fresh reserves of pyroxenite, a mineral that’s in high demand in the iron and steel industry.

Spread over 850sqkm in East Singhbhum district, the department was currently mapping the area to find out the extent of mineral reserves that is primarily known to be found in the Singhbhum region, besides Rajnagar block in neighbouring Seraikela-Kharsawan.

Confirming the find, the mines director, J.P. Singh, said the department would also test the quality of the ore that was available and then send a comprehensive report to the Jharkhand administration.

Officials in the district mining department said the new reserve was good news for the large number of applicants vying for pyroxenite mining leases in the region.

“Presently, mining of the mineral is being carried out across 200 acre in seven places, all of which are in Potka block of East Singhbhum,” said a mining department official.

The mineral available in the district, he added, had 32-35 per cent magnesium content which meant it was of “good quality”.

The Singhbhum region was always believed to have good pyroxenite reserves, though the mining area was spread across 200 acre only. “In the past couple of years, there has been a large number of applicants seeking mining leases for the region’s pyroxenite reserves,” said the official.

As of now, 90 applications, primarily from the iron and steel industry, were pending with the state’s mines and geology department. “Most are for a lease of Matku mines in Potka, which is open cast and has quality reserves,” he said.

A key requirement in the iron making process in the steel manufacturing industry, pyroxenite is used as flux that decreases reaction time when added to the blast furnace.