The Chhattisgarh Mineral Resources Department will soon commence the process for leasing out Karhi Chandi limestone block in Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district, officials stated.
The Chhattisgarh Directorate of Geology and Mining would also soon be leasing out its limestone block at Kesla in Raipur district. Notably, on the other hand, the State-owned Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) has also completed exploration and preparation of geological report for Aridongri and Kabirdham iron ore projects, officials here stated.
Significantly, in the month of May last year, Chief Minister Raman Singh had stated that minerals extracted in Chhattisgarh should be used for units located in the State on a priority basis. This will boost revenue collections and also increase job opportunities while addressing the 9th meeting of Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Fund Advisory Committee. The meeting was organised by State Mineral Resources Department in which the Chief Minister was informed about various projects underway to explore minerals in the State.
The Chief Minister had stressed over undertaking of mineral prospecting work by Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) in the meeting. Officials informed that in the current fiscal, Bauxite exploration work are currently being undertaken in Pandariya Tahsil of Kabirdham and Murtunda of Surguja district. likewise, Bauxite prospecting is going on in Bamhtara village of Bodla Tehsil of Kabirdham district.
The Bauxite exploration work will be undertaken in Bhursipakri and Mukam of the same Tehsil. Both the projects were sanctioned during the meeting. It was also informed that for effective management of minerals a web-based e-governance application ‘Chhattisgarh Integrated Mines and Mineral Management System’ is being developed. This application will be used for receiving requests for various relaxations on minerals and timely disposal of applications.
The application will be helpful in providing e-permit, e-transit pass monitoring unified check post and weighing bridges along with checking of illegal mining. It was also informed that district mineral foundations have been made in those districts where certain minerals are found. These foundations will carry on road construction, health and environment development and the development required at the local level.
The Directorate of Geology & Mining in Chhattisgarh is also in the process of carrying out iron ore exploration in the notified areas of Kanker and Narayanpur districts of Bastar division. The exploration target is for the 12th plan period (2012-17) and is being carried out in Rowghat and 10 other localities, officials stated.
The Chhattisgarh government had targetted to carry out survey and mapping for 1,000 square kms of State’s area during 2015-16 for geological exploration during the 12th five year plan ( 2012-17).