COAL 861 



Indian coal, and ia used for locomotives by the East Indian Kailway Company, who 

 have purchased the greater part of the field. After carefully excluding one-fourth for 

 loss, waste, &c., it is estimated that 168,000,000 of tons of coal remain in this field. 



4. Jherria. This coal-field extends along the valley of the Damudah river. Its 

 greatest length is 21 miles, in an E. and W. direction ; its maximum breadth is about 

 9 miles N. and S. Total area 200 square miles. It is roughly calculated that this 

 field would yield 465,000,000 tons. 



5. Sokaro. This coal-field is but a mile west of the Jherria coal-field. It extends 

 along the valley of the Damudah , forming a long narrow band of coal-bearing rocks 

 of more than 40 miles from E. to W. ; its breadth N. and S. never exceeding 7J miles. 

 It is a poor coal, used only for brick and lime burning ; but much has been raised 

 and carted to Hazareebagh, and even to Gya. It is estimated that 1,500,000,000 tons 

 of coal are in this field. 



6. Bamgurh. This small field occupies a triangular space. Near Ramgurh the 

 breadth in a N. and S. direction is only a few hundred yards. It extends eastward 

 about 12 miles, and at the eastern end expands to a breadth of 6 miles. Available 

 coal 2,000,000 or 3,000,000 tons. 



7. Hoharo and Karunpoora. The field is of large extent, covering a surface of at 

 least 450 square miles. The South Karunpoora field is thought to occupy 120 square 

 miles. These fields are poor in coal, and what does occur is of inferior quality. 



8. Eetcoora. Near Eetcoora, to the N.W. of Hazareebagh, coal occurs of poor 

 quality, but usable for brick and lime burning. 



9. Palamow. The principal fields of coal occur along the valley of the Damudah 

 and its tributaries. The actual limits of the field have not been determined, but the 

 district is poor in coal, and if worked it will be only to supply local demand. 



10. Singrowlie.TSot far to the west of the village of Singhpur the colliery of 

 Kotah has for years been known, and a fair amount of good coal has been produced. 

 Coal exists in eight or nine localities, spreading over an area of about 40 miles in 

 length from E. to W., and 20 in breadth from N. to S. No details can be obtained. 



11. Upper Some. The prospects of any large amount of coal being available from 

 this district are not good. Some thin seams, apparently unworkable, were noted by 

 the Geological Survey in the Mahanuddy Valley, near the district of Bijiragoogurh. 



12. Hutsoo or Chotteesgurh. Coal occurs in the Hutsoo near Koorba; in the 

 Beeja Kurra, 25 miles N.W. of Koorba ; and in the Labed, a few miles further in the 

 same direction. It is said to extend 200 yards along the bed of the former, and 

 about a mile in the latter. Coal was also found in the Chornai stream, a tributary of 

 the Hutsoo. 



13. Talcher. There is but little coal in this field, and that little poor in quality. 

 The total area of the coal-bearing rocks in the field is not more than 10 square miles. 

 * These coal-fields, in conjunction with the reported coal-fields near Chanda, on the 

 Wurda, and also the reported coal-fields in the vicinity of Sumbhulpor, will in a very 

 few years become of far higher value than they are now.' Oldham. 



This opinion appears to be founded on the probability of the formation of a line 

 of railway from Calcutta to Bombay. The Nerbudda Coal and Iron Company have 

 their works near Mopani, which are connected by a branch, fourteen miles in length, 

 with the main line of the Great Indian Peninsular Kailway. The coal does not appear 

 to be of a high quality, but still it is of considerable local importance. Many small 

 thin seams exist in several localities within Tawa Valley of the Nerbudda district, but 

 they are unimportant. 



14. Fetich Biver. Coal occurs at Sirgori village. One seam was more than 4 feet 

 thick, and another seam 2 feet thick. (2.) Chenda or Digawani. A seam with more 

 than 12 feet of coal. (3.) Hurrye. A seam; thickness unknown. (4.) Rawunwarra. 

 One seam with 5 feet i inches of coal. A second with more than three feet of coal. 

 (5.) Parassia. Above five feet of coal. (6.) Bhundaria. Seam of 15 feet 2 inches, 

 with more than 7 feet of good coal. (7.) Pootaria. More than 5 feet of good coal. 

 (8.) Burkoi. About 6 feet of good coal. (9.) Gogri. Six feet seam, with 5 feet of 

 coal. 



This coal-field is nearly 100 miles from Nagpoor ; and this distance prevents any 

 profitable working. Coal has only been raised from one seam, that at Burkoi. Since 

 1860 one colliery has been held on lease ; but little has been done. 



15. Chanda, The existence of coal has been proved by boring, in the Wurdah 

 Valley, and on the opposite side of the river. One or two sinkings have been com- 

 menced. 



16. Kota. Near Kota, on the Godavery, coal has been more than once reported. 



17. Cutch. The coal occurring at Cutch affords no hopes of proving valuable. 



18. Scinde. There is coal ; but ' as a source of fuel it was utterly worthless.' 



19. Salt Range. The Salt Bango may, therefore, in my opinion be rejected from 



