Iron found in Nawolparasi

Because of variance of altitude and topography of Nepal, several minerals are found in different quality and quantity across the county. Phulchoki (10 m. tone), Theso (1 m. tone) and Phalam Khani (10 m. tone) are some remarkable iron mines of Nepal. But none of them are economically rich and viable. They are of low grade and exist in small quantity. According to information of Department of Mines and Geology, the following mines exist: lime stone (probably the best quality in the world), magnetite (Fe3o4), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), etc. About 70 to 75 mines await its operation. Nepal is going to meet its 80% demand, to become self reliant, for cement within next couple of years.

But prominent geologists (such as Dr. Torn Sharma, Sarbajit Prasad Mahato) and officials of the Department of mines opine that lime stone and semi-precious mines (stones) are economically viable. Geochemist studies reveal that Nepal is not a mineral rich country. Rulers of the past forced the marginalized castes, which hardly possessed land and pasture, to extract the mines. Then they used to excavate certain quantity of iron and copper as Kipat pratha (Akhtiyari) to meet their daily needs especially in western Nepal. It became later their livelihood profession.

Out of 14 zones and 75 districts of the country, Dhaulagiri zone, comprising of 4 districts, is very rich in natural resources- hydropower, tourism and mineral. Salt, iron, Copper, Sulphate and Gold i.e. nun dekhi sun samma (from salt to gold). About a dozen VDCs of Baglung, five VDCs of Myagdi and two VDCs of Parbat are named after mines. The zone is very famous for this. The pioneers and engineers of the mines such as Musha (Chhantyal), Aauri (Magar), Aafre (Kami) and Subba (Thakali) were involved in the past to excavate the mines near their settlement/villages. These typical words attributed to the then miners. They had specific job description- Chhantyal and Magar used to excavate the mines/ores, Kami used to purify and make weapons and day to day needed utensils and the Thakali manged the marketing and support financially. Thakalis were smart so they quit the traditional job and migrated to urban areas but the rest are still languishing in their traditional settlement and location. Now one can find this scene in most of the villages in Myagdi and Baglung districts.

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