New Delhi: The government has identified eight more mineral blocks with a cumulative reserve of 1,133 million tonnes (MT) in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to be auctioned by mid-march.
So far, a total of 88 mineral blocks have been notified by 9 states for auction, of which 33 blocks have been successfully auctioned with an estimated revenue of Rs 1.28 lakh crore over the lease period to the states.
Of the eight mines, six are of lime stone - five in Rajasthan and one in Chhattisgarh, one of iron ore and the remaining one is of graphite & quartz - both in Jharkhand.
Five of the limestone blocks in Rajasthan - four in Nagaur district and one in Jaisalmer - will be put under hammer on February 7, while the Chhattishgarh mine in district Baloda will go for e-auction on March 12, as per the mines ministry.
The remaining two iron ore and graphite & quartz blocks will be auctioned on March 14. These mines have a cumulative reserve of 1,133 million tonnes of limestone, iron ore and graphite & quartz.
Of these eight blocks, only one limestone block in Chhattisgarh is reserved for clinker and cement plants, while there is no end use reservation for the remaining, the ministry said.
The ministry, meanwhile is also contemplating at setting up special purpose vehicles (SPVs) that will acquire necessary project clearances, including environmental, for the mineral blocks before bidding, a move that may add pace to the auction process, an official said.
Mines Secretary Arun Kumar had said last month that recent changes in bidding rules are expected to lead to wider participation and a smoothening of the process.
"We had rounds of discussions and have brought out the amendments in auction rules which we feel will go a long way in smoothening the process," he has said.
So far, 33 mineral blocks have been auctioned and revenue to the states estimated at Rs 1,28,000 crore over the lease period.