Union Mines Secretary Balvinder Kumar on Wednesday said foreign companies with technical expertise in mine exploration would get an opportunity to be part of mine exploration in the country.
“The new National Mineral Exploration Policy is in the offing which would allow private companies, including the foreign ones to participate in exploration work as the Government prepares auctioneering of more blocks to augment mineral production in a new mining regime,” said Kumar here on the sidelines of the 16th annual Geominetech symposium on ‘New Equipment and Safety in Mines’.
He said the Union Government have set a target to auction 45-50 mineral blocks in this fiscal in States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.So far, six mineral blocks, three in Chhattisgarh, two in Jharkhand and one in Odisha were explored, added he.”We have asked Mineral Exploration Corporation ltd to upgrade the blocks to G2 and G1 level to facilitate expedition of auctioning of the same,” added Kumar. He said illegal mining of sand and other minor minerals and other issues would be discussed at the State Mines Ministers to be held in Jaipur on May 27.