Post news network
Bhubaneswar, Nov 13: The state government has decided to put 10 non-coal mines for auction in the first phase, notification for which will be issued by end of this month. Out of the 10 mines, three are iron ore mines, five are manganese and rest two is from limestone and bauxite category.
Earlier, the state government has identified 12 non-coal mines for auction in the first phase as per the MMDR Amendment Act. However, the state government has now decided to exclude Khandadhar iron ore mines in Sundergarh district and Mankadmocha iron deposit in Keonjhar district from the first phase auction list, said steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallik here Friday.
“In the first phase, we will auction 10 mines for which the notification will be issued by the end of November. Subsequently, transaction advisor SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBI Cap) will begin the tender process and we will complete the auction by December,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) surveys of the mines have been completed. While Central PSU- Metal Scrap Trade Corporation (MSTC) would provide the online platform for auction, investment bank and project adviser SBICAP would be the transaction advisor, sources said.
Decision regarding end-use of different mines would be taken by a committee headed by development commissioner UN Behera, sources added. Last month, Rajya Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation headed by TS Reddy had expressed its displeasure over the delay in completion of auction process in the state. The committee had also asked the government to submit a report within 10 days, which the state government had complied with, sources added.