Madhya Pradesh will become the first State in the country to auction mining blocks under new Central mining policy, said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a high-level review meeting chaired by him and Union Steel and Mining Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Mantralaya here on Monday. It was also decided in the meeting that district-level mining foundations for development and welfare of mining areas in all districts of the State will be constituted within a month.
Mineral Development Minister Rajendra Shukla and Industries Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia also attended the meeting. The Chief Minister said that there is immense potential in mining sector of the State. New employment opportunities can be created by tapping this potential through modern technology under progressive central mining policy.
He said that a roadmap for mining blocks in Madhya Pradesh will be chalked out under new mining auction policy. Prescribed time-limit will be strictly adhered to. Work will be undertaken for development with positive mindset. MoUs signed at Global Investors Summit-2014 will be implemented within time-limit.
Tomar said that minerals will be allotted only through auction following implementation of new mining policy. For this, time-limit should be prescribed. Madhya Pradesh will become an example for other States by constituting mining foundations in all districts of the State for development of mining areas. Emphasis has been laid on exploration in mining areas under new mining policy. So far, geo-chemical survey of 23,000 kms and geophysical survey of 19,000 kms out of 33,000 km has been done in mining areas in the State. Work of area-wise exploration will be completed by year 2017.
The meeting was informed that 2 limestone blocks have been selected recently in Satna district, which may be auctioned during next 3 months. Similarly, 10 blocks of limestone, 6 of iron ore and 2 blocks of bauxite have been selected , which may be auctioned after geo-reference. Revenue from e-auction of sand has increased 10 times.
The meeting also reviewed progress of MoUs signed at Global Investors Summit by public undertakings of Union Steel and Mining Ministry. It was informed that aluminium smelter plant will be established by NAlCO after allotment of coal block and aluminium refinery on availability of bauxite reserves. The State Government has given consent to make bauxite available. NAlCO will establish a 20 MW solar power plant in Agar-Malwa district. SAIl will establish vitrification palette plant.