Bhubaneswar: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has approved five G-4 mineral blocks for Odisha.
Across the country at least 52 potential G-4 mineral blocks have been approved by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
These reports were handed over to 15 State Governments on 23 November in New Delhi during the national conclave on Mines and Minerals by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi.
This is done as part of unlocking India’s vast mineral potential by exploration, this year the Ministry of Mines has handed over152 mineral block reports to different State Governments so far.
The States those received the Mineral Block Reports include Madhya Pradesh (8), Chattisgarh (6), Karnataka (7), Maharashtra (6), Odisha (5), Rajasthan (5), Jharkhand (5), Gujarat (2), Tamil Nadu (2), Telangana (1), Bihar (1), Assam (1), Arunachal Pradesh (1), Andhra Pradesh (1) and Himachal Pradesh (1).
The mineral potential identified by GSI includes ferrous group of minerals, precious metals and minerals, non-ferrous and strategic minerals, industrial & fertilizer minerals.
The G-4 stage blocks are governed by the results of reconnaissance surveys and support the mineral industry for development of bulk minerals, strategic and critical minerals, and noble metals for overall participation by the stakeholders.
Special focus was given for bringing out potash and phosphorite blocks for exploration and production of fertilizer minerals to support the agrarian economy of the country.
Earlier in September this year, 100 potential mineral block reports were handed over to different State Governments by the Ministry of Mines. Mineral mining paves the way for rapid industrialization and facilitates fast- paced infrastructural development.
A sustainable mineral mining sector is needed to make India a five trillion-dollar economy.
To build a competitive and thriving mining sector, the Centre has undertaken several innovative reforms during the last seven years.
