New Uranium Reserves Discovered in East Singhbhum, Central Govt Approves Prospecting

 Jamshedpur: In a major boost to India’s nuclear energy program and strategic capabilities, a significant new reserve of uranium has been discovered in the Khadandungri-Sungri block of East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. The Central Government has officially granted Stage-1 approval for uranium prospecting across $0.225$ hectares of land in the region.

Out of the total designated area, $0.142$ hectares consists of forest land, while the remaining portion is agricultural land. The approval has been granted under the Forest Conservation and Development Act of 1980.

AMD to Spearhead Exploration

The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), regional center based in Khasmahal, Jamshedpur, will head the exploration project. The formal application for exploration was submitted by AMD Regional Director Dr. Bhattacharya, which has now received the green light from the central authorities. Uranium is classified as a rare metal and a strategic element crucial for powering the nation’s nuclear reactors.

Meeting National Needs for the Next Decade

According to official insights, this newly discovered reserve is substantial enough to meet India’s domestic uranium requirements for the next 10 years.

Uranium mining operations are already being actively managed nearby in Jaduguda, Musabani, and Potka by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL). Prior to this discovery, a massive deposit of 11,000 tonnes of uranium was found in the Banadungri-Simridungri area, alongside another 5,000-tonne reserve in the neighboring Rajda region.

Advanced Drilling and Environmental Safeguards

The exploration plan involves drilling a total of 30 boreholes in the new block, 25 of which will be located within the forest zone. To mitigate environmental impact, the central government has laid down strict guidelines for the two-year approval window:

• Compensatory Afforestation: The executing agency, in collaboration with the state government, must plant 2,750 large trees to ensure the local ecosystem and forest cover remain unharmed.
• High-Tech Surveying: The exact locations for the exploratory drilling are selected using advanced satellite imaging.

No Radiation Risk, Assure Experts

Addressing local safety concerns, the report explicitly states that the proposed scientific methods of exploration pose no radiation threat to nearby populations or the environment. The process involves extracting core samples using specialized 3-centimeter pipes, which are then securely transferred to specialized laboratories for testing. Once the testing is complete, the designated zone is safely restricted to prevent unauthorized access.

This discovery marks a pivotal step forward in accelerating India’s self-reliance in nuclear power and strengthening its long-term strategic energy security.