Copper Mines in Jhunjhunu and Impact on Copper Mine Workers

Abstract

The total geographical area of the Jhunjhunu district is 2928 square Kms. This stands at 1.73 percent of the total area of the state from the points of area, Jhunjhunu district stand at 22nd place among the existing 33 districts of the state most of the part of the district is coerce by blow sand and dunes which for part of the great that desert sand shifting and active dunes are main hazards to cultivation. Soil erosion is the Result of constant deforestation and mining activity which have resulted in baring the slopes. The hilly area in south eastern part of district is characterized by hills of Aravalli range, running in north easterly direction. The highest peak, 1051 m high is in the south of Lohagar village bordering Sikar district. Hills are almost barren of vegetation except a few bushes of acacia and cactus. The undulating area with small isolated hills having steep slope lies in the south western part of district.

The major portion of hills is found in Khetri and Udaipurwati tehsils. The general elevation above mean sea level rests between 300 and 450m Quaternary level forms are represented by sand and colluvial deposits of talus and scree at piedment slopes. The desertic plain generally lying at an altitude of about 300m amsl occupies the northern part of the district and is covered with sand dunes. The general slope of the area is from south to north. Sand dunes are drifting in nature. District Jhunjhunu is situated in Arid Rajasthan plain known as Rajasthan. It comprises of Rolling hills, some of the arrival ranges in the southeastern side running in the south eastern Direction and range of the Aravali Hills in extreme southeastern of Udaipurwati existing towards Singhana and Khetri in the east, viz Nawalgarh-Khetri upland its general elevation above means sea level is between 300 to 450 meters. The district of Jhunjhunu is poor in forest resources as the total area under forest including hills is reported to be 39613 hectares which is 6.65 % of total geographical area of the districts. The forest coverage is below the state average of about 9 % under forest. If compared to the 13 % of forest area at national average. The district comes out to be roughly half of the matomn average.The major species available in forest is ‘Jant” tree or Khetri (prosaic specigera) it is found in abundance and is utilized’ for various purpose as providing folder to the animals supplying fuel for domestic purpose and checking sole erosion. For the exploration excavation development of mineral “Govt. of Rajasthan” has stated its mining office in Sikar which is having jurisdiction over both the district Sikar and Jhunjhunu. Jhunjhunu is fairly endowed with various minerals whose industrial use has immensely contributed to the economy of the district. Of these, the most important is the copper belt of Khetri from which mining has been carried out since time immemorial.