RECORDS 
OF THE 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 
Part 4.] 1873 . [November. 
Note on some of the Iron deposits of Chanda, Centeal Provinces, ly Theodore 
W. H. Hughes, a. e. s. m., f. g. s.. Geological Survey of India. 
My present contribution to the Records of the Geological Survey refers to a few only 
of the deposits of iron-ore found in the Chanda district, and gives some details relative to 
the amount of ore and fuel ordinarily used in native furnaces, showing what results are 
obtained without the use of foreign slag-forming ingredients. 
I am indebted to Major Glasf urd, the Deputy Commissioner, for my quantitative figures ; 
and although it is always more satisfactory to have an accumulation of data, I think the 
six experimental trials which are recorded yield a fair indication of the work accomplished 
by the method of smelting adopted in this country. 
Iron-ore exists in great quantity ; and as it. occurs principally in the metamorphie rocks, 
it is found in those portions of the Chanda district which are to the north and east of the 
main Wardha valley coal-field. Anhydrous haematite is the most abuudant species, and it 
furnishes all the supplies for the native furnaces. It is usually compact, and is mixed up 
occasionally with some magnetic oxide and a little brown iron-ore. 
The latter variety of haematite occurs often as a coating to an interior mass of anhy¬ 
drous haematite. It presents in many instances an exceedingly beautiful appearance, having 
a clear smooth surface on the outside, and being finely fibrous on the transverse face. There 
is no difficulty in distinguishing it, for it gives a well defined bi'own streak on being 
scratched; and any person interested in possessing an illustrative mineralogieal sample of 
iron-ore, showing the passage of one variety into the other, may obtain in the Chanda 
district many such specimens as that which I have described. 
The most noted localities for abundance and excellence of ore are Dewalgaon, Gfinjwahf, 
and Lohara ; but there are several others which run them close for a place in the first rank. 
The wealth of Chanda in iron-ore is undeniable. In the form either of magnetic oxide, 
haematites, carbonate, or as laterite, one is constantly meeting with it. 
The deposit most worthy of notice which I have hitherto seen is undoubtedly that at 
Lohara. It deserves, and will some day obtain, a more than local reputation. The ore 
consisting of compact crystalline haematite or specular iron-ore with some magnetio oxide, 
forms a hill fully three-eighths of a mile in length, two hundred yards in breadth, and 
a hundred to a hundred and twenty feet in height. The main lode striking north-east by 
north can be_ traced clearly for some distance beyond the distinctive hill portion which first 
catches the eye, and its actual length if followed out (but which I am sorry to say I had 
not time to do on the occasion of my visit) would probably exceed several miles, 
