Nepal has been mining on a small scale for iron, copper, lead, zinc, cobalt, nickel and gold. Old mine pits, adits, smelting places and other remnants of mine processing are found all over Nepal. Some villages are named after mineral names, such as Taba Khani, Falam Khani, Shisa Khani or Sun Khani.
Before 1951 (2007 BS) Nepal was an exporter of iron and copper to Tibet and cobalt to India. At Thoshe iron deposit (Ramechhap), a gun manufacturing plant was established in 1921, but this is non-functional now. After the change of government in 1951, mining activities gradually closed.
Systematic geological mapping and mineral exploration were carried out by the Nepal Bureau of Mines, established in 1961, and by the Nepal Geological Survey, established in 1967. These two organizations were combined in 1977 and renamed as the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG). Mineral exploration activities were at their peak during 1969–1984. Some potential mineral resources identified by the explorations are listed below.
Metallic minerals Mineral Location Iron Dhaubadi (Nawalparasi), Lalitpur (Phulchoki), Thoshe (Ramechhap), Labdhikhola (Tanahu), Jirbang (Chitwan), and Dhuwakot (Parbat) Copper Gyazi (Gorkha), Okharbot (Myagdi) and Wapsa (Solukhumbu) ZincGanesh Himal area (Rasuwa), Phakuwa (Sankhuwashbha), Libangkhairang, Damar, and Baraghare (Makawanpur), Pangum (Solukhumbu), Salimar valley (Mugu/Humla), Phulchoki (Lalitpur), Sishakhani and Khandebas (Baglung), Duwakot (Parbat) Bhalu Danda (Dhading), Kholakhani (Taplejung) CobaltNetadarling and Tamghas (Gulmi) and Samarbhamar (Arghakhanchi)NickelBamangaun (Dadeldhura), Beringkhola (Ilam), Bauligad (Bajhang) Khoprekhani (Sindhuli)Gold Mahakali, Chamaliya, Jamari gad, Seti, Karnali, Bheri, Rapti, Lungrikhola and Phagumkhola (Rolpa), Kaligandaki, Myagdikhola, Modi, Madi, Marsyandi, Trishuli, Bhudhi Gandaki, and SunkoshiSilver Ganesh Himal (Rasuwa), Barghare (Makawanpur), Bering Khola (Ilam)Tin Meddi and Genera (Dadeldhura) and Mandhukhola area (Makawanpur)Uranium and other radioactive mineralsThumki, Jagat, Panchmane, Gagalphedi, and Chunikhel in Shivapur area, Tinbhaangale, Chandi. Khola and Chiruwakhola (Makawanpur), Bukakhola (Sindhuli) Mardarkhola and Panpakhola (Chitwan), Jamari gad, Bangabagar, Baggoth, Gorang (Baitadi), and traces in a different section of the Chamaliya River (Darchula)Bismuth Dadeldhura and Baraghare and Mandukhola area in Makawanpur districtCinnabarKhimti River Beryllium Khaptad and different parts of Manang, Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Phakuwa Hyakule, Ilam and Taplejung districtTungstenDadeldhura and Makwanpur
Non-metallic minerals
Mineral Locations Coal Tosh, Siuja, Azimara and Abidhara in Dang, and few places in Salyan, Rolpa, Pyuthan and Palpa Limestone Khotang, Udayapur, Syangja, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Dang, Pyuthan, Salyan, Rolpa, Bajhang, Baitadi, and DarchulaDolomiteDhankuta, Khotang, Udayapur, Sindhuli, Dolakha, Kavre, Kathmandu, Makawanpur, Dhading, Syangja, Palpa, Baglung, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Dang Pyuthan, Salyan, Rolpa, Rukum, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Dailekh, Jumla, Achham, Doti, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi, and Darchula districts in the Lesser HimalayanPhosphoriteDhick Gad, Junkuna, Morgaun, Sanagaun and Dhaubisaune areas in Baitadi, Far Western NepalMagnesiteKampughat in Udayapur, Palpa, Baitadi, and DolakhaTalc/MicaDhankuta, Langtang (Rasuwa), Bhumidanda and Khairenitar (Nuwakot), Chaukibhanjyang (Kathmandu), Nibuwagaun (Sindhupalchok) Khaptad (Bajhang), Baskot and Bhasukan (Doti), Fical (Ilam)Pyrite (sulphur) Bering Khola (Ilam), Chhirlingkhola (Bhojpur), Meddi and Bamangaun (Dadeldhura)Graphite Illam, Dhankuta, Sankhuwashbha, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, and DadeldhuraGranitesMakwanpur (Palung, Ipa and Narayanthan), Sindhuli, Udaypur, and DadeldhuraMarble Godavari (Lalitpur), Chhatre Deurali (Dhadhing), Anekot (Kavre)Quartz crystals (SiO2)Jajarkot, Dailekh, Dhadhing, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Sakhuwasabha, Ilam and Taplejung districtsRubies and sapphireChumar, Ruyil, Shelghar, Pola, Shongla in Ruby valley in Dhadhing and Lari/ Ganesh Himal(Rasuwa)
References