Gujarat first state to commence mines auction

Gujarat has become the first state in the country to start auction of mines by putting five blocks of limestone -- key ingredient in making cement -- under the hammer.
The 12 mineral-producing states have also identified 80 blocks that will be auctioned by the end of this month.
This was made possible after the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, passed in March this year, which stipulates auction as the only means to allow extraction of iron ore and other minerals.
"Gujarat becomes the first state to begin the process of auction of five mineral blocks of limestone," Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar tweeted.

The state government has identified five Limestone blocks for electronic auction and has invited tenders for the purpose of granting mining lease, a notification said.
"The government of Gujarat reserves these mineral blocks for Specified End Use of production/manufacturing of cement. Accordingly, financial bids are invited in digital format only and technical bids are invited both in digital and physical format from eligible bidders," it added.
The government has identified limestone blocks -- Mudhvay Sub-block A, Mudhvay Sub-block B, Mudhvay Sub-block C, Mudhvay Sub-block D and Goyla Block -- for the auction.