The Mineral Resources Department is going to e-auction three blocks of limestone in the State. Union Government's undertaking MSTC, which successfully conducted e-auctioning of coal blocks, has been entrusted the responsibility of e-auctioning State's three major mineral blocks. MSTC limited is a Mini Ratna Category-I PSU under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India.
Earlier, Mining Department has done e-auctioning of sand successfully. Stone and stone slabs are also being e-auctioned in the State.
It is noteworthy that limestone is mainly found in the state in Satna, Katni, Rewa, Dhar, Neemuch and Damoh districts. The government received revenue worth over `271 crore from limestone last year. Revenue worth `310 crore is estimated to be recovered this year.
In the first phase of e-action of limestone in the state, three mines will be e-auctioned including two blocks at villages Bandarkha and Ghuisa in Amarpatan tahasil of Satna district and one block at village Nimarmunda in Hata tahasil of Damoh district. Certification of cement quality deposits in these blocks has been undertaken by state's Geology and Mining Directorate.
Bandarkha limestone block spread over 121.07 hectares has 17.20 million tonnes of certified deposits. Ghuisa limestone block is spread over 57.79 hectares have 9.98 million tonnes of certified deposits and Nimarmunda limestone block in Damoh district is spread over 125.423 hectares has 6.58 million tonnes of cement quality deposits.
It is noteworthy that the state government has appointed Union Government undertaking Mekan limited, Ranchi as technical advisor for 2 blocks of Satna district and SBI Cap, New Delhi for one block of Damoh district.