118 ball: geology of aurunga and hutar coal fields. 



ores* about to be described originally existed as such. At present we 

 fiud tbat the ores commonly associated with coal-measures consist of 

 brown or red haematites, or mixtures of both. 



According to Mr. Hughes ' report on the Daltonganj field, it would 

 seem that within its limits there are no deposits of iron ore of import- 

 ance. In certain parts of the Daltonganj field shaly and concretionary 

 fragments of ore may be seen strewing the surface. And from the 

 traces of slags it is apparent that iron has been manufactured from these 

 ores. Such accumulations are, however, quite consistent with a great 

 poverty of the deposit; and all experience shews that much reliance 

 should not be placed on such apparent evidence of abundance. 



In the Hutar field, as has been already indicated in the account 

 of the coal-measures of that area, there are numerous deposits of iron- 

 stones, but since it is believed that none of these deposits are sufficiently 

 extensive to justify the hope that the establishment there of iron works 

 would have a favourable result, it will be unnecessary in this Economic 

 account to recapitulate the details regarding that area. 



In the Aurunga field and its neighbourhood, however, there is an 

 undoubted abundance of good ore which is most favourably situated as 

 regards hmestone flux, if not as regards fuel. 



Aurunga field. — Since from the inferior quality of the coal it is not 

 likely that the iron ores would ever be smelted on the spot, the Rajbar 

 ores are less conveniently situated than those which are found in the outlier 

 near Chiru. The latter, as has been shewn, are sufficiently abundant to 

 meet all possible requirements, and their quality is shewn in the assays 

 given in the accompanying table. A very important point regarding these 

 ores too is, that since they occur near the surface and could be easily 

 worked, no expensive mining establishment need be maintained. The 

 same remark applies to the limestone. This would not be the case with 

 the mao-netite ores, supposing them even to be vastly more abundant 



" Possibly some of the concreliouary masses were never carbouates. 



( lis ) 



