J&K invites tenders for marble mining

After a gap of almost two decades, the Jammu and Kashmir government has invited tenders to extract marble from 30 identified mines in the Kashmir valley, official sources said.

"The J&K government has invited private entrepreneurs for the extraction of marble deposits in 30 blocks Kupwara district of the state," sources said. Leases for exploitation of marble in these areas were granted by the state government in early 80s and these leases subsequently expired, they said, adding that last extraction by any private party was in 1985.

The geology and mining department, J&K government has identified nearly 30 blocks of marble of Trehgam, Zirhama, Awoora and Drugmulla of Kupwara district and reserves to the tune of 50 million cubic meters are available, they said.

The Kashmir valley is bestowed with huge deposits of marble in Kupwara district, where marble deposits of various shades from greyish white to green and at places with zebra striations are available, they said.