Despite a blanket ban put on the gypsum mining in the private sector there are reports of the same and the total unauthorised production is put at around two lakh tonnes to three lakh tonnes in a year. ``We are increasing our vigil on such mining operations by organising raids but there is a clear connivance at some level,says a senior official of the state mining department.

The reason for illegal mining is the low depths of gypsum formation in the open fields. The mineral is found even at a depth of 1.5 feet depth.

The mineral is sold at Rs 132 per tonne- ex pit. It is used in the cement plants and also in the soil reclamation. It creases the fertility of the alkaline soils. In Punjab where water-logging is quite common the use of gypsum makes the soil fit for cultivation purposes.

Due to the depleting reserves RSMDC is now opening new mines in Bikaner and Anupgarh areas. ``The mining cost at Hanumangarh has gone up sizably'', says an official.

As the gypsum demand in the country has been rising no export of the same is being taken right now. Depending on the margins the RSMDC may think in terms of the exports in the near future. There is no price war as such among the three PSUs doing the mining of gypsum. Before the season starts the officials of these PSUs meet and take a decision on the price. In the miningoperations no huge investments are required.

RSMDC is worried over the depleting reserves of gypsum. It has made experiments to do deep-seated mining of the mineral. The total reserves at high depths are put at 80 million tonnes and one day the mineral will have to be taken out from such depths. In the Nagaur district the mineral is available at a depth ranging from 50 metres to 70 metres in the ratio of 1:7. The cost of mining at Nagaur is put at around Rs 200 per tonne. RSMDC has sought the technical back from Micon, a Central Undertaking so that the mining cost could be reduced. Blending has been suggested as one way to use the low-grade gypsum.