1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Minerals constitute the backbone of the economic growth of any nation and India has been eminently endowed with this gift of nature

1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Minerals constitute the backbone of the economic growth of any nation and India has been eminently endowed with this gift of nature. There is much evidence that the exploitation of minerals like coal, iron ore, copper, and lead & zinc has been going on in the country from time immemorial. However, the first recorded history of mining in India dates back to 1774 when the Eng (Extractive summary — verify with official source.)