Australian mining firm India Resources (IRL) has applied for prospective licenses to explore and mine metals like lead, zinc, diamond, iron ore and copper, a company official said.
IRL Managing director Arvind Misra said the company had sought prospective licenses in Orissa, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh for exploration.
"We want to focus on exploration rather than contract mining," Misra told reporters here today.
The company is engaged in contract mining for Hindustan Copper where the firm has invested Rs 130 crore.
Misra said the company had also entered into a contract mining agreement with Bankura DRI for mining coal from the block allotted to the latter at Ranigunj in West Bengal having 95 million tonnes reserves.
He said the firm would invest Rs 100 crore for the purpose.
