Bhubaneswar: The State Government has invited bids from eligible bidders for auction of 15 specified minor mineral blocks located in different districts of the state.
The Director of Mines and Geology has issued the notice inviting tenders (NIT), which says that, “In exercise of the power conferred by Section 15 of Mines and Mineral (Development & regulation) Act, 1957 and in accordance with the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rule, 2016 and Odisha Specified Minor Mineral Auction Rule, 2019 as amended from time to time notified thereunder, the Government of Odisha has identified 15 Specified Minor Mineral (12 Decorative/Dimension Stone (DDS), 02 Quartz & 01 Quartzite) Blocks as under for electronic auction and hereby invites tender for the purpose of grant of Mining Lease.”
The decorative/ dimension Stone blocks are– Baharapada-Jamurhiha (East), Baharapada-Jamurhiha (West), Betarsing Block A & B, Damba, Derab (East), Derab (West), Jhadapada, Lausahi, Nuagan (Nuagad), Nuagan (Tuburuba Mouza), and Tentulikhunti. The two quartz blocks are, Bhatuabeda-Chiringdih and Mudrajodi-Pokharia. Besides, Batigurha Quartzite
Block was put for auction.
Accordingly, financial bids are invited in digital format only and technical bids are invited both in digital and physical format from eligible bidders, it said.
The bidders can download the detailed tender document along with the timeline, notifications, updates and other details for the e-auction process for the mineral blocks in electronic form only from the website of MSTC Limited.
The 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.
Last date for purchase of a tender document after payment of a tender fee on website of e-auction platform is February 2, 2024 and the last date for submission of the bid is February 9, 2024 on or before 5 pm.
The price of tender documents for each of the mineral blocks is Rs 50,000 plus applicable GST except Batigurha Quartzite Block, Bhatuabeda-Chiringdih Quartz Block and Mudrajodi-Pokharia Quartz Block.
The tender document price of Quartzite and Quartz Block is Rs 10,000 plus applicable GST. Further, the reserve price of all the 15 mineral blocks is 5 percent.
The 12 Decorative/Dimensional Stone blocks are auctioned under second attempt of auction, sources said.
Bidders who had purchased the tender document in Phase I (NIT dated August 22, 2022) and Phase II (NIT dated May 18, 2023) for the mineral blocks have been exempted from paying the tender document fee for the particular mineral blocks.