24 
Records oj the Geological Survey of Lidia. 
[vol. VII. 
I cannot find any reference to the coal from the Belrdi colliery, but it deserves mention, 
as it cakes well, and looks bright and clean. The Belrui seam, like the Bahmandiha, is oil 
the same strike, and is possibly on the same horizon as the Sanktoria seam. In our present 
state of knowledge, one can only conjecture that such is the case; but an air of probability 
is lent to this opinion by the circumstance that the Belrui coal possesses nearly the same 
qualities as the Sanktoria coal. 
Freedom from ash important in connection with amount of flux required Jj—I have par¬ 
ticularised the coals from eight different localities, because analysis shows that they are 
best adapted for smelting purposes. They are the coals freest from ash, and this is a point 
that must be home iu mind in connection with the amount of flux that will be required. 
For raising steam and for smithey works there are twenty other coals in the Ranigani field 
that would answer nearly as well; and there is always the prospect that many of the 
collieries from which moderate or inferior coal is at present being raised may some day meet 
with better seams as their workings become deeper and new ground is opened out. 
Best locality for coal .—The portion of the field which contains the most promising 
coals, cast of the Barakar, is decidedly that part of it limited in a north-west direction by 
the outcrop of the seams mined on the Sanktoria and Belrui properties, and in a south-west 
direction by the Pancliet formation marked on the geological map. Within this area is 
included, in addition to the collieries belonging to the Bengal and New Birbhum Companies, 
those owned by Messrs. Apcar and two or three quarries possessed by natives. Some of 
the land is, I am informed, held by Rani Sarna Moui, a Hindoo lady, whose religious 
principles are opposed to coal mining. 
Ikon-ohe. — The deposits of iron-ore are of two distinct geological ages. The older 
are associated with the coal measures, as a group in the series, while the more recent are 
connected with the rock known as laterite. 
Laterite, as a rule, is not rich in iron ;* and as it does not occur in any form west of the 
meridian of the town of Raniganj, I directed my attention principally to the ores of the 
coal measures. I did not restrict my observations to any one special locality: I visited the 
lands east of B as era, and Madapur, and the entire traot from Lalganj to Bagunia. I 
thought it possible that the Siugaran valley might be a good locality for iron works; but 
it does not offer the same advantages as the western part of the field, where the iron-ores of 
the measures arc in close proximity to the superior coals of Sanktoria, Belrui, Duinarkunda, 
Bahmandiha, &c. 
Tire only samples of ore that I considered it necessary to collect were from the lands 
of Aitura, Malakola, Chalbalpur, Kulti, Sibpur, Jassaidih, Boldi, and Notangliar. They are 
fair representative specimens picked mostly from heaps, which had, conveniently for me, 
been collected by the contractors who supply ballast for the repairs of tho Grand Trunk Road. 
Mr. Tween lias up to the present time only been able to complete the analysis of one 
sample. It came from Ivulti, and contains— 
1 . 
Insoluble matter (silica 16'4) 
... 19-G 
2. 
Sesquioxide of iron (metallic iron 4-2 per cent.) 
... 60-4 
3. 
Alumina 
... 5-8 
4. 
Rime ... 
... 2-9 
5. 
Magnesia 
•6 
6. 
Phosphoric acid ... 
... 22 
7. 
Water 
... 9-2 
100-7 
* laterite usually contains from 12 to 26 per cent, of iron. Some of it, however, is nothing more than clay 
with iron stains. 
