Udupi: The airborne survey (airborne geophysical survey) to detect rare minerals in the earth's crust continues in the district, conducted by a private company in collaboration with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) under the Central Government.
Searching for minerals is currently underway across various fields and hills of Udupi district using a Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft equipped with a magnetic gradiometer. Consequently, the frequent low-flying activity of this small aircraft is creating a significant buzz across Udupi, Kundapura, Byndoor, and other parts of the district.
To achieve self-reliance in the mineral sector and facilitate the auctioning of mining leases, the Central Government has already initiated the hunt for new mineral deposits in Karnataka via helicopters and small planes. Permissions have been granted to various companies to locate deposits of bauxite, xenotime, iron ore, and other rare minerals. In this context, X-Calibur Aviation Pvt. Ltd., which secured the contract from the Central Government, is conducting surveys using magnetic gradiometer and radiometer sensors across several districts of the state.
Detection of bauxite and xenotime
Previous surveys had identified bauxite in Byndoor and Honnavar, and xenotime in Gokarna. The survey is now being extended across various parts of Udupi to determine the exact locations and quantities of hidden minerals. Official reports detailing the specific rare minerals available in the district are yet to be released. Officials noted that if the ore deposits are found to be in negligible quantities, the mining projects will be abandoned.