Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha
– Photo : Amar Ujala Digital
Expansion
Nitish government has approved the auction of mineral blocks. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha said that soon Bihar will also create a new dimension in the field of large minerals. Two mineral blocks of iron ore in Sikandra block of Jamui district and Bhora Katra limestone mineral block in Rohtas district were allotted to the state by the Government of India. Now the state government has approved their auction. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that the Geological Survey of India estimated the resource of 48.40 million tonnes in Majos iron ore mineral block and 6.49 million tonnes in Bhanta iron ore mineral block. Similarly, 33.25 million tonnes resource has been estimated in Bhora Katra lime stone mineral block. The estimated reserve price of Majos and Bhanta iron ore of Jamui district was estimated by the inter-departmental committee at Rs 3817.60 crore and Rs 511.91 crore respectively. The estimated reserve price of Bhora Katra Lime Stone Mineral Block of Rohtas district has been fixed at Rs. 1761.42 crore, which has been approved by the State Cabinet today. Auction of mineral blocks will fetch auction premium along with royalty.
Investment will be boosted and the state will move towards development
The Deputy Chief Minister said that after the division of the state, the mineral exploration work in present Bihar could not be done properly and hence the minerals could not be selected. At present, the exploration work is being done by the Geological Survey of India. Action is being taken to make it happen at a faster pace. Exploration of new mineral blocks will promote investment in the mineral sector within the state and the state will progress towards development.
Limestone will be available and new cement factories will also be set up
The Deputy Chief Minister said that after the auction of mineral blocks approved by the Council of Ministers, limestone will be available for the cement industry and new cement factories will also be set up. Mining of iron ores will also lead to the establishment of industries based on it and new avenues of investment will open up in the state. The state government has selected SBI Capital Markets Limited as the transaction advisor for the auction of large mineral blocks. The auction process will be conducted in a transparent manner through the online platform of DAZB. After the approval of the state government, preparations for publishing the tender in Bihar have started in full swing. Soon the advertisement for the tender will be published. The government will help the bidders participating in the auction in every way. The state government is also committed to provide all kinds of full support and employment generation to the mining companies and companies setting up industries successful in the auction.