Mines ministry's ultimatum to states: Explore lapsing blocks by December

Of 288 blocks expiring by March 2020, 59 are operative

The Union mines ministry has told all states to ensure exploration is complete by this December of mineral leases expiring by March 31, 2020. It has also reminded them, yet again, to initiate the process of title re-auction of these blocks by July 2019, to ensure no shortfall in raw material and a seamless transition in their ownership.

The ministry’s data shows 288 leases for iron ore, chromite, limestone, manganese, bauxite, graphite, limestone, garnet and kyanite are due to lapse by end-March 2020. Goa has the highest number, 120; then come Karnataka and Odisha with 45 and 31 mining leases, respectively.