10 JONES: SOUTHERN COAL-FIELDS OF SATPURA GONDWANA BASIN. 



underlaid by metamorphic rocks or by formations belonging to the 

 coal series, in which case there would be a possibility of workable 

 coal being found. 



In 1872^ few tons of coal were forwarded from Mardanpur and 

 1872-73. Dolari for trial by the Great Indian Peninsula 



Shahpur coal tested. Railway Company, the report of whose engineers 

 was on the whole favourable, but a larger quantity (300 tons) was 

 asked for and supplied. The experiments were commenced in the hot 

 weather and temporarily abandoned. In 1 873-74 2 the experiments 

 with the Shahpur coal were continued and are stated to have justi- 

 fied a favourable opinion of the coal for locomotive purposes ; the 

 report states that the coal was free from white ash, but that it clin- 

 kered badly, necessitating the frequent cleaning of the fire-bars. 



The subsequent Administration Reports of the Central Provinces 

 mention the 16 borings which were put down in various parts of the 

 basin to search for coal but without success, and several inspections 

 of the coal mines at Mohpani. 



In 1 875 s Mr. Medlicott in his paper on the Shahpur Coal-field 



jg 75 mentions the unsuccessful result of the borings 



Progress of borings. at Gadarwara station and Sukakheri, which were 



carried down to 25 1 feet and 491 feet respectively all in alluvial deposits. 



He mentions, as regards the borings in the Dudhi valley, that 

 borings were commenced at Manegaon and Khapa, which reached 

 respectively depths of 419 feet and 472 feet, at the close of the season 

 1874-75 in coloured clays and sandstones. Borings were also com- 

 menced at the Suktawa river and at Kesla during this season, and had 

 reached depths of 241 feet and 302*5 feet respectively at the end of the 

 season. At the same time he recommended borings along the north 

 boundary, 7 miles west of Mohpani, one on each of the roads to Pach- 

 marhi, and one at Lokartalai, and three borings in the Shahpur field. 

 The extension of the Satpura basin to the west of Lokartalai is con- 



1 C P. Admn. Rep., 1872-73. 



2 „ „ „ I873-74- 



3 Rec. Geol. Surv. India, VIII, 3, 65. 



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