834 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(d) Was there any systematic examination and investigation of the following deposits in the Madras Province (i) copper, (ii) zinc, (iii) lead, and (iv) aluminium ? If so, what are the results ?
(e) Is it not a fact that ceramic articles of high quality could be manufactured in the Province of Madras if the resources are properly tapped ? Are there any investigations made with regard to this industry ? If not, why not ?
(f) Is it not a fact that Ilmenite, an important mineral for manufacture of paint, could be found in some of the Southern districts ? Was there any scheme or attempt made to develop this industry ? If not, why not ?
(g) Is it not a fact that large quantities of mica, an irreplaceable mineral for high tension electrical work, is found in some of the coastal districts of the Madras Province ?
(h) Is it not a fact that mica is simply mined and exported to foreign countries without any attempt to start an industry for the preparation of electrical goods ?
(i) Do the Government of India propose to establish in Southern India a central research organization to study these deposits ? If so, when ? If not, why not ?
(j) Is it not a fact that almost all the scientific research institutions started and to be started under the Bureau of Scientific and Industrial Research would be located in Northern India ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Metallic : Chromite, iron ores, ilmenite and Columbite-Tentalite.
Non-Metallic : Ceramic materials including Kaolin, Fireclay and other types of clays, quartz, felspar, and sillimanite, Coal Lignite, and Rare Earth Minerals including Monazitc, Zircon and Samarskite.
(b) Yes.
(c) No. The ore is low grade and is not associated with suitable fuel for smelting.
(d) Yes. No deposits of economic value have however been discovered by the Geological Survey.
(e) Possibly. The Madras Government have given attention to this question and have employed Ceramic Experts.
The Geological Survey is conducting investigations on the quantity and quality of ceramic materials in Madras.