Bhubaneswar: The State Government has already auctioned 44 mineral blocks since 2020 and lined up another 30 blocks for auction during the current financial year 2024-25.
This was informed by Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena in a written to the State Legislative Assembly today.
While replying to a question of senior BJD Lawmaker Ranendra Pratap Swain, Minister Jena said the State Government has planned to put 30 mineral blocks for auction during 2024-25 fiscal.
Out of the 30 blocks, 25 are virgin blocks while 5 others are lease expired blocks, he said.
Shri Jena said that the Government has completed all formalities required for auction of 14 mineral blocks. So, these blocks can be put for auction at any time, after approval of the Government.
The Government is examining the DGPS survey and land schedule of remaining 16 mineral blocks and also awaiting for the geological report, he informed.
The expired mineral blocks which are kept ready for auction are– Koira Iron ore block, Roida-I Iron Ore & Manganese block, Putulipani Iron ore block, and Jalahuri lron Ore & Manganese block.
Similarly, six virgin blocks including Jhumka-Pathiriposhi West Iron ore block, Karlapat Bauxite block, Nunapaimali Bauxite block, Orahuri Manganese & Iron Ore block, Bhanjikususm Manganese block and Roida-D Manganese block are also kept ready for auction.
The above 10 blocks are located in Sundergarh (4), Keonjhar (4), Koraput (1) and Rayagada (1).
The Mines Minister further said the government has completed the process for auctioning of 22 mineral blocks, whose leases were expired and 22 virgin blocks in accordance with the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.
Out of the 44 auctioned mines, 24 blocks are now operational, while operation is yet to be started at the remaining 20 mines as forest clearance has not been issued for these blocks till now, he said.
The Minister informed that after completion of lease period of a particular mineral block, the government conducts G2 exploration as per Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules, 2015 and then include the mines for auction, which is a time consuming process. The state government did not bear any loss due to the delay, Jena stated.