646 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Under peace-time conditions another two years development at the present rate of progress would be advisable before any decision is taken as to the plant required. The Government of India are, however, anxious to secure the earliest possible production in the interests of the war effort. It is hoped that in about three months’ time it will be possible to gauge at least to some extent the character of the ore. Should payable ore have been found at the end of this period, Government will take steps to order and to erect ore-dressing machinery.
- Sulphur.—On the outbreak of war the Geological Survey of India, as part of its drive for the discovery of menerals required for war purposes, devoted particular attention to sulphur. The most promising occurrence of sulphur in India is in a crater of an extinct volcano at Koh-i-Sultan in Baluchistan. Having carried out the original prospecting and examination of the working of the deposits to the administrative charge of the Supply Department, who established a small mining section under a special officer. The mining operations have however required more technical planning than it was first contemplated and with the formation of the Utilisation Branch of the Geological Survey it was found more convenient that that Branch should take over the mining and this has been done. There are two workable areas at Koh-i-Sultan—(i) Miri—which is higher up, less accessible and has not yet been worked ; and (ii) Batal—which is the deposit at present being worked. Considering quantities of+50 per cent, sulphur ore have been delivered to Indian industry. Proved reserved in the deposit at Batal are now nearing exhaustion in regard to +50 ore though there is still some quantities of lower grade ore and the Utilisation Branch are actively considering opening up the Miri deposits which are expected to be considerably richer than at Batal but there are considerable difficulties in regard to transport. The climate at Koh-i-Sultan, particularly at Miri, is very severe ; extreme cold being experienced during the winter and intense heat and high winds in summer. Labour is consequently difficult to attract. Owing to the