The State Government on Monday said it would issue a notification for e-auction of four mines within two to three days.
“Once the notification is issued, the bidders will be invited to participate in the e-auction process,” said Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick.
He said three limestone mines and a manganese mine located in Rayagada, Nuapada and Malkangiri districts would be auctioned. Reserve and bidding prices of these mines have been decided, he added.
The Government has so far auctioned only one iron ore mine, Ghorhaburhani-Sagasahi iron ore block, under the amended Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 2015.
Essar Steel bagged the first iron ore block offered for e-auction in March, upstaging strong contenders like Tata Steel, Jindal Steel & Power ltd (JSPl) and JSW Steel.
Recently, the Centre had asked the State Government to expedite the mining auction process as Odisha
is way behind in the auctioning process compared to other minerals-bearing States.