The minerals that are found in the district are the following- Asbestos -This isof the amosite variety and can be used for the production ofasbestos, cement bricks, laborato
…ry asbestos sheet and paper, butis not considered to be of economic importance. Magnestic - Thisis of an average quality is crystalline in nature, and is foundassociated with crystalline dolomites and sometimes with soapstone.The Magnesium carbonate found here is also of average quality andits mineralisation has also been reported to occur in thedistrict. Soapstone or Steatite- This white saponaceous stone resembling pipe clay isobtained in as lenticular body and is associated with mineralpyrites, which adds a color to it, and in places with magnesite. itcan be mined for use as filler in soap and in the cosmeticindustries. In the past various utensils were made of it which,when polished, had the appearance of marble. Copper - Thecopper mines in the district are extensive and of reputed duringthe period of Hindus and The Gorkhas rules. All the rich mines havesince being exhausted and at present they do not offer a fair fieldfor the employment of capital. Iron - Small andsporadic occurrence of iron are known to occur in several parts ofdistrict but are of hardly any economic important. Iron ore, richin haematite, and magnetic ore, with haematite and siderite, alsooccur in the district. Graphite - In thepast this mineral, also known as plumbago, found mostly in pattiLohba, was used as a dye but no large deposits have been noticedfor a long time. Gypsum - Thismineral is found on the bank of some river and was used in the pastfor the manufacture of saucers and bowls .when ground to a finepowder it is known as Plaster of Paris and can be used for a numberof purposes. Lead - Deposits ofthis metal were fairly numerous in the past but it is found insomewhat inaccessible places and has long since ceased to beworked. Slate - Thisdense, fine grained metamorphic rock, which is produced from a fineclay, can be split into thin, smooth plates and is quarriedthroughout the district. It is suitable for roofing purposes, thethin dark blue slates being somewhat inferior in quality. Building Stone - Stone which can be used for building purposes is available in mostparts of the district. Sand stone is found in abundance in thelower hills. Gneiss and chlorite schists which are availablethroughout the district are frequently used for buildingpurposes. Sulphur - Thisyellow mineral, also known as brimstone is found in the district asgreen sulphate of iron and is obtainable from iron pyrites andcopper mines, its presence being characterised by a small as ofrotten eggs. Sulphur springs also occur in many parts in thedistrict. Bitumen - Thebrownish white natural sulphate of alumina known as Shilajit isfound in rocks at a fairly high altitude and occur in small lumpswhich generally have an admixture of red sand and micaceous stoneembedded in them. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine and during theseason when there is an influx of pilgrims, it fetches good incometo those who deal in it. (MORE)