Bhubaneswar: The State government has invited tenders for auction of 8 major mineral blocks in accordance with the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.
This is the first time after the BJP Government came to power the State government has issued Notice Inviting Tenders (NIT) for auction of eight major mineral blocks.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology has issued to NIT on 7 March for electronic auction of four iron ore, three iron ore & manganese (associate minerals that co-occur) and one manganese block for the purposes of granting mining lease.
Out of the eight mineral blocks put for auction, four are virgin blocks while the licenses of another four blocks have expired.
The mines are Koira iron ore block, Jhumka-Pathiriposhi West iron ore block, Orahuri manganese & iron ore block and Bhanjikusum manganese block, all located in Sundargarh district and Roida-I iron ore & manganese block, Putulipani iron ore block, Jalahuri iron ore & manganese block and Roida-D manganese block, all located in Keonjhar district.
Among the eight blocks- Jhumka-Pathiriposhi West iron ore block, Orahuri manganese & iron ore block, Bhanjikusum manganese block and Roida-D manganese block are virgin mines, officials said.
Last date for purchase of the tender document after payment of a tender fee of Rs 5 lakh on the website of e-auction platform provider is 16 April, 2025 and the last date for submission of the bid is 25 April, 2025.
Interested and eligible bidders can register themselves on the above website. On successful registration, eligible bidders will obtain login ID and password necessary for participation in the e-auction process. The model tender document and mineral block summer are available free of cost on the website MSTC Ltd.