Bhubaneswar: As promised in the Make In Odisha (MiO) 2022, the Odisha Government has accelerated the process of transparent auction of Mineral Blocks. And the State Government has been successful in auctioning 3 Bauxite and 1 Lime Stone Block.
Three Bauxite Blocks of Sijimali, Kutrumali and Ballada as well as Uskalvagu Lime Stone Block were auctioned in a transparent and competitive manner, thanks to the sincere efforts of the Directorate of Mines & Geology in the Department of Steel & Mines.
Team Mines steered by Director Mines, G Rajesh and headed by ACS Steel & Mines Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh have meticulously organized the auction process in a most transparent and professional manner, said a senior official of the State Government.
Sijimali Bauxite Mines having an area of 1549.022 Hectares spreading in Rayagada and Kalahandi District has gone in favor of Vedanta Limited.
Vedanta Limited offered highest price of 112.16 Percent for this rich Bauxite Block having proven deposit of 445.151 Million Tons of Bauxite.
After the successful bidding and deposit of First Installment of Upfront payment, the State Government has issued Letter of Intent in favor of Vedanta Limited, said sources.
Similarly Kuturmali Bauxite Block has gone in favor of Mundra Aluminium Limited, which offered highest bid of 126.76 Percent.
Kuturmali Bauxite Mines is having an area of 701.792 Hectares with resources of 303.496 Million Tons. Kuturmali Bauxite Block is situated in Rayagada and Kalahandi District.
After Mundra Aluminium Limited deposited requisite amount of upfront payment, the State Government has issued Letter of Intent in favor of the company, said sources.
Ballada Bauxite Block auction has gone in favor of Mundra Aluminium Limited (MAL).
MAL offered highest price of 72.25 Percent for the Ballada Bauxite Block, having spread over 144.945 Hectares with a proven deposit of 22.28 Million Ton. This Bauxite Block is in Koraput District.
MAL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Group, which intends to set up 3 Million Ton Aluminium Refinery in Odisha.
State Government has issued Letter of Intent in favor of MAL after the company deposited first installment of upfront payment with the authorities.
Auction of Uskalvagu Lime Stone Block in Malkangiri District has gone in favor of Ambuja Cement Limited, which offered highest bid of 5.05 Percent.
This Lime Stone Mines is spread over 547 Hectares having resources of 141.41 Million Ton.
After Ambuja Cement Limited deposited the First Installment of the Upfront Price, the State Government has issued Letter of Intent in favor of the Company, said official sources.
No bid was received for Garamura Lime Stone Block covering an area of 30.256 Hectares having resources of 2.980 Million Ton in Nuapada district.
So auction for this Lime Stone Block is concerned, it has been annulled, an official admitted.
So with mineral resources in hand, the major investors will infuse funds for setting up mega projects in Odisha and the State Government is facilitating the Corporate Giants to invest in the most attractive destination for doing business.