Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Mining in the Aravallis: Legal and Illegal Activities
The Aravallis, a very old mountain range in India, have lots of valuable minerals like lead, zinc, copper, and marble.
People have been mining these minerals for thousands of years.
Some mining is done legally with government permission, but there is also a lot of illegal mining that harms the environment.
The government has tried to stop illegal mining by using guards, tracking vehicles, and setting up committees, but many cases go unreported or unpunished.
Illegal mining can destroy the mountains and the water table, making it bad for the environment and the people living nearby.
The Aravallis are rich in base metals like lead, zinc, and copper, as well as minor minerals like marble, quartz, sandstone, and granite.
Rajasthan, which contains 90% of the Aravallis, is India's sole producer of lead and zinc and a major producer of other minerals.
Legal mining requires environmental clearances and government permissions, but violations and overstays of mining leases are common.
Illegal mining, particularly of minor minerals, involves heavy machinery and dynamite blasting, causing significant environmental damage.
Despite government efforts to control illegal mining, only 11% of reported cases result in FIRs being lodged, with many cases going unreported or unpunished.
- Who
- Mining companies, government authorities, activists, and local communities
- What
- Legal and illegal mining of various minerals in the Aravallis
- When
- Mining has been occurring since 4000 BCE, with recent data up to 2025
- Where
- Aravalli mountain ranges, primarily in Rajasthan, with some activities in Haryana and Delhi-NCR
- Why
- The Aravallis are rich in base and minor minerals due to their geological history and formation processes
- Primary Minerals
- Lead, Zinc, Copper, Limestone, Lignite, Iron Ore
- Minor Minerals
- Marble, Quartz, Sandstone, Granite
- Rajasthan's Mineral Resources
- 31 million tonnes of zinc, 11 million tonnes of lead, 868 million tonnes of copper, 29 billion tonnes of limestone
- Illegal Mining Cases (2020-2025)
- 27,693 reported cases, 3,199 FIRs lodged
- Mining Violations in Rajasthan (2018-2025)
- 474 violations out of 707 inspected mines
- Revenue from Major Minerals (2023-24)
- Rs 3,945 crore, with Rs 2,419 crore from lead and zinc
- Percentage of Aravallis Lost to Illegal Mining (2018)
- 25%