Raipur. NIT (Notice Inviting Tender) issued for allotment of exploration license through e-auction of three blocks of diamond and rare earth minerals of strategic importance in Kondagaon, Narayanpur and Bastar districts in a brief function organized at the Chief Minister’s residence today by Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai. to be done. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Mineral Department Secretary P Dayanand, Director Geology and Miner Sunil Jain and related officials were present on the occasion. It is noteworthy that to promote the exploration of minerals of critical and strategic importance in the country, a new amendment has been made in the Mineral Act by the Government of India. As a result, to ensure private sector participation in the exploration of 29 minerals including REE, Lithium, Copper, Silver, Diamond, Gold, arrangements have been made to allot exploration licenses on the basis of reverse bidding through electronic means. After exploration, forward bidding will be done through e-auction in the form of mine lease for the said block. The exploration license holder of the block will have a share in the premium received from the mine lessee.
Critical and strategic minerals are required in sectors like renewable energy, defence, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transportation etc. At present the country is dependent on imports in matters of these minerals. Secretary of Mineral Department, P. Dayanand said on this occasion that this system is very progressive and important for the development of such deep-seated precious minerals from the point of view of supply of minerals of strategic importance in the country, reduction in import dependence and revenue. Special Secretary, Mineral Department, Sunil Jain said that last year, the department successfully allotted 08 blocks of graphite, glauconite, nickel chromium PGE and gold. The auction process of lithium reserves in Katghora (Korba) is going on. Chhattisgarh has been awarded the ‘Best Performance Award’ by the Government of India for this departmental effort. Joint Director and Nodal Officer Auction, Anurag Diwan and other departmental officers were present at the NIT launching ceremony.
