Mining Intelligence and News
India

Bicholim Mine

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Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Iron Ore
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
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SnapshotThe Bicholim mine is part of Sesa Goa is one of the largest private sector exporter of iron ore in India.

At Goa, mining was brought to a halt pursuant to the Supreme Court judgement dated 7 February 2018 directing all companies in Goa to stop mining operations with effect from 16 March 2018.

04 April, 2024, Vedanta Sesa Goa commenced mining operations at Bicholim Mineral Block- Block 1. Sesa Goa operationalized the Bicholim mine in Goa, marking the commencement of first mining operation in Goa region after six years.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Vedanta Resources plc. 61.95 % Indirect
Vedanta Resources Limited, through its subsidiary Vedanta Limited, holds 61.95% in Sesa Resources Ltd, which wholly owns the Bicholim Iron ore mine.

July 30 2024 Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta said it got approval from the majority of its secured creditors for the demerger of the company into six independent companies.

Deposit type

  • Laterite

Summary:

Bicholim-Sirigao deposit is the best deposit of Goa state. It is situated between Bicholim in the south-east and Sirigao in the north-west. The deposit occurs oa a N 50-60o W trending anticlinal fold, overturned to the south-west and its nose portion refolded in shape of 'S' with a plunge of about 22-27o towards N 60o W. The southern limb of the fold extends for a length of about 4km from Bicholim-Piligao road in the south-east to about 500m north-east of Sirigao hill while the northern limb extends for a length of about 2km from Bordem in the south-east to about 500m north-east of Sirigao hill. Between the two limbs of the anticlinal fold, which are ore-bearing, there is a barren phyllitic tract which represents the axial portion of the fold.

The deposit consists of two orebodies, a larger south-western one and a smaller north-eastern. The total length of the south-western body between Bicholim-Piligao to Sirigao hill is about 6.25km and the windth varies from 70m to 550m. The north-eastern orebody is about 1.25km in length and the windth varies from 115m to 140m. Both these orebodies are thoroughly explored by drilling and proved up hte bottom.

As regards the quality of ore, the best grade of ore in south-eastern orebody is present in the section between Lamgao and Sirigao hill. Here, the Fe content lumpy ore ranges from 60 to 63 percent and in powdery ore from 64 to 66 percent. In Seltom Mosque hill area, the lumpy ore contains 57 to 59 percent Fe and the powdery ore from 61 to 63 percent Fe. In sectin between Bicholim-Maem road and Lamgaon the lumpy ore contains 57 to 61 percent and the powdery ore from 63 to 65 percent Fe. Along the northern and north-western slope of Sirigao, the lumpy ore contains 57 to 59 percent and the powdery ore from 61 to 62 percent Fe.

In the north-western orebody, the lumpy ore is platy to massive and contains 59 to 61 percent Fe and the powdery ore which is deep blue in colour, contains 62 to 65 percent Fe.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

CommodityUnits201820172016
Iron Ore M wmt 1.3**0.8**0.6**
All production numbers are expressed as ore. ** Combined production for Surla Mine and Bicholim Mine

Operational metrics

Metrics20242023
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Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNamePhoneEmailProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required ........... Subscription required ........... Subscription required Subscription required Oct 21, 2024
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EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
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Aerial view:

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