Discovery of Potash Reserves in Punjab

11 Feb 2025

Discovery of Potash Reserves in Punjab

The Punjab government has announced plans to explore potash mining in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts.

Discovery of Potash reserves 

  • Geological Survey of India (GSI) surveys have detected large potash reserves in three mining blocks:
    • Kabarwala (Muktsar Sahib)
    • Sherewala and Ramsara (Fazilka)
    • Shergarh and Dalmir Khera (Fazilka)
  • Rajasthan is another state with significant potash reserves, mainly in the Nagaur-Ganganagar basin.

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About Potash and Its Uses

  • Potash is an impure combination of potassium carbonate and potassium salts.
  • Principal Ore: Sylvinite is the primary source of potash.
  • Classification: Potash is classified as a critical mineral under The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment (MMDR) Act, 2023.
  • Potash ReservesApplications:
    • Agriculture: Over 90% of potash is used as a fertilizer, making it one of the three essential nutrients (N-P-K) for plant growth.
      • The ideal nutrient ratio for plants is 4:2:1 (N:P:K).
    • Water Purification: Potash alum is used to remove water hardness and has antibacterial properties.
    • Industrial Uses: Potash is used in glass and ceramics manufacturing, soap and detergent production, and explosives.
  • Common Types of Potash Fertilizers
    • Sulphate of Potash (SOP): Premium, chloride-free fertilizer used for high-value crops like fruits and vegetables.
    • Muriate of Potash (MOP): Contains chloride, commonly used for carbohydrate crops such as wheat.
    • Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM): 100% indigenous fertilizer under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, which provides subsidies based on actual nutrient content (N, P, K).

Status of Potash Production in India

  • Import dependence: India does not currently engage in potash mining and is entirely dependent on imports.
  • Reserve Potash: Total estimated potash resources in India stand at 23,091 million tonnes (as of 2020).
    • Rajasthan contributes 89% of the total potash reserves in India.
  • Delay in Mining: Despite discoveries in Punjab in 2019, mining has not yet commenced due to feasibility studies and environmental concerns.

Global Potash Reserves and Production

  • The total global potash reserves exceed 3.6 billion metric tons (MT) of potassium oxide equivalent.
  • Largest reserves: include Canada (1.1 billion MT), Belarus (750 million MT), and Russia (650 million MT).
  • Top Three Potash Producers (2023) : Canada(13 million MT), Russia (6.5 million MT) and China (6 million MT).  

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Significance of Potash Mining

  • Reducing Import Dependence: India imports 50 lakh tonnes of potash annually, mainly for fertilizers and industrial use. Domestic production can significantly reduce reliance on imports, enhancing agricultural self-sufficiency.
  • Boosting the Domestic Fertilizer Industry: India’s fertilizer sector can become more competitive with locally sourced potash.
    • Farmers may benefit from lower fertilizer costs and improved access to high-quality potash-based fertilizers.
  • Economic Benefits: Potash mining in Punjab and Rajasthan can generate employment opportunities and drive regional economic development. The government expects mining to create new job prospects for local communities.
  • Environmental and Social Concerns : Some farmers in Muktsar and Fazilka have expressed concerns about land acquisition for mining.
    • The Punjab government has assured that extraction will use an advanced drilling system with zero impact on land ownership.
    • Environmental and social impact assessments are being conducted to mitigate risks before starting operations.

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