 "States ready to auction 82 non-coal mineral blocks")
In the first phase of mineral auction, expected to be over by June, states had planned to auction a total of 52 blocks. Till date, only six blocks have been auctioned out of the 52.
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On March 15, Union Steel & Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told Parliament the states would be auctioning 42 blocks in the second phase of non-coal mineral auction. However, on April 6, the states told the central government they could auction twice that number.
For the first-phase auction in Andhra Pradesh, the date of initial bids for six limestone blocks has been extended to April 30. Of the six blocks, only three blocks have received a total of seven applications — three each for two blocks and one for another block.
Land ownership has been a major reason for applicants not participating in the auction process. Andhra Pradesh wants to auction 12 mineral blocks in the second phase of mineral auction.
Goa has told the central government there is no scope of auction in the near future, due to the mining cap by the Supreme Court. Chhattisgarh is planning to auction eight limestone and two bauxite mines in the second phase.
Gujarat plans to auction 10 limestone and two bauxite mines in the second phase.
Jharkhand, which has auctioned two blocks in the first phase, would auction four more blocks by end-April. For the second phase, the mineral-rich state plans to auction four bauxite , one limestone and one graphite mine.
Madhya Pradesh, yet to auction its four mines in the first phase, is planning to auction another four in the second phase.
Odisha is planning to auction a total of 12 blocks in 2016-17. With regard to bauxite requirements, Odisha informed the central government the three bauxite areas reserved for Odisha Mining Corporation are being operationalised, which may be considered for any long-term agreement on bauxite supply to existing aluminum plants.
MINING FOR INFORMATION
- Phase-I of mineral auction currently on; total 52 mineral blocks to be auctioned
- Till date, states have been able to auction only six blocks of the 52
- Andhra Pradesh wants to auction 12 mineral blocks in Phase-II of mineral auction
- Goa has told Centre there is no scope of auction in the near future due to the mining cap by the SC
- Gujarat plans to auction 10 limestone mines and 2 bauxite mines in Phase-II