Mineral rich states such as Jharkhand and Odisha have identified about 200 mines, including 12 iron ore and 168 limestone blocks, which can be auctioned once the Centre finalises rules for bidding process.
The development comes against the backdrop of the government auctioning 33 coal blocks so far to garner a massive over INR 2 lakh crore.
A mines ministry official said that “Mineral rich states have identified 168 limestone blocks, 16 bauxite mines, 12 iron ore mines and three manganese ore mines most of which may be auctioned in the first round after the rules and regulations are finalised.”
In March, Parliament passed a law, which allowed the auction of mines bearing minerals like iron ore, bauxite and limestone. These 200 mines are mainly concentrated in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Odisha.
source: www.steelguru.com
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