The first phase of mines auction in the 12 mineral producing states is expected to begin from October-November this year, Mines Secretary Balvinder Kumar said today.
"Mines auction in 12 states is expected to begin by October-November and the second phase will take place in another one year," Kumar said here.
Besides, to encourage exploration of minerals, government will come out with a new Mineral Exploration Policy soon, he added.
Last month, Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had told PTI that the Centre is working with states to start by year-end the auction process for about 200 mines containing minerals such as iron ore, bauxite and limestone.
Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015 in March, paving the way for auction of these mines.
As mining is a state subject, auctions will be conducted by states and the central government's role will be limited to framing the rules that are to be followed in the process.
Union Mines Ministry has identified 199 such mines that can be allocated through the auction route. They are located in mineral-rich states like Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Odisha.
