RECORDS 
OF THE 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 
Part 4.] 1872. [November. 
Note on exploration fob coal in the noetheen begion of the Satpuba basin, by 
H. B. Medlicott, ii. a., f. G. s., Deputy Superintendent, Geological Survey of 
India. 
In anticipation of a detailed report of work in the Satpura coal basin, this notice is given of 
any results of practical interest. The coal mines of the Sitariva, and the explorations in connec¬ 
tion with them as working from the only outcrop of the measures on the north-side of the Satpura 
basin, have naturally been looked to for information to guide us in estimating the chances of suc¬ 
cess in other analogous positions. In previous reports I have mentioned the disappointing want 
of information derived from this source, and I regret that the same disappointment has again to 
be expressed regarding the point upon which information was most needed—the extension of 
the coal seams to the south, towards the dip of the basin. A boring was attempted this year 
at the edge of the Sitariva, south of the present colliery; but it came to a stand-still at 194 
feet, in the Mahadeva clay and conglomerate, short of the calculated depth at which the 
measures might- have been struck. Upon this most important point, therefore, we still know 
no more than might be learned from the exposed outcrops. It was always upon success in 
this direction that the best prospects of the mining concern were considered to lie; so, to a 
great extent, it may be said that those prospects are as good as ever they were. The some¬ 
what intricate stratigraphical features noticed in my detailed report of last season's field work 
may add some little anxiety as to the depth to which the coal may have to be followed; but 
practically this should at present only add to the urgency for vigorously prosecuting the 
exploration to allow for the opening opt of a new mine in deep ground before the exhaustion 
of the very limited supply at present available. 
Notice has also to be taken of a failure of a more positive kind in connection with the 
exploration of the field within the outcrop of the measures between the present mines and 
the north boundary of the basin. In reporting upon the field in May 1870, before anything 
bad been done to try the ground, I stated the geological possibilities of the case thus “It 
may be said that there are about two miles of known outcrop, the coal being obscurely visible 
at the surface at several spots along the curved line between the two collieries, but its thick¬ 
ness or Us quality in that position has not been tried. Assuming it to maintain a mean 
thickness of workable coal between the aggregates at the two collieries, say 25 feet, 
(at the rate of 1,000 tons per foot of thickness per acre of seam), we should have 400,000 tons 
for every 6(1 feet down the seam along the whole length ol two miles. As at many places 
the seam may be followed for many hundred feet, it is apparent that, without any very 
unwarrantable assumption, we may count upon a large supply ol coal for many years to come.” 
I observe in a recent report of the Narbada Coal and Iron Company (published in the 
‘ Mining Journal’ for July 6th, 1872), use has been made of the last words of this quotation, 
