The larsen and Toubro (l&T) has requested the State Government to grant mining lease for two bauxite deposits in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. The appeal was made in the light of the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2015. Since l&T already has a prospecting licence over Sijimali and Kutrumali bauxite mines located in the two districts, the company is hopeful to get the two deposits in the State.
l&T Group executive-chairman AM Naik said his company is eligible to get mining rights over the two bauxite deposits under the new MMDR Act as they have the prospecting licence. After meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Chief Secretary GC Pati and Steel and Mines Department Secretary RK Sharma, Naik said they have requested the State Government to recommend mining lease in their favour and also expedite permissions for their alumina refinery project. Notably, l&T had won prospecting licence for Sijimali and Kutrumali bauxite mines with a total deposit of close to 300 million tonnes, in 1992. But after two years, the State Government denied mining lease to the company since it had no end-use plant.