PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced that six iron ore mineral blocks would be put up for e-auction in February, while ten low-grade ore dumps will go for auction this month.
Speaking to media persons after chairing a review meeting of the mining sector, Sawant said that of the total 12 mineral blocks, covering 24 mines, auctioned so far, five have commenced operations while four blocks are in process of starting activities.
In October, last year, operations commenced at the Shirgao mineral block operated by M/s Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd, and the Cudnem Mineral Block (VI) managed by JSW Steel Limited.
Vedanta Limited was the first to begin fresh extraction from its Bicholim mineral block in April 2024, followed by Fomento Resources at the Advalpal-Thivim block in December the same year. In May 2025, M/s Salgaocar Shipping Pvt Ltd began operations at the Shirgao-Mayem block.
“Another six mineral blocks are identified for auction next month,” Sawant said. He added that the government has already granted consent to five mining firms to lift dumps lying on private land outside the leasebound areas.
The Chief Minister said that a total ten dumps, as identified by the government, will go for auction this month.
The State has received Rs 400 crore incentive from the Union Mines Ministry for operationalizing mineral blocks in the current financial year.
The combined annual extraction capacity of these five operational mineral blocks stands at 5.3 million metric tonnes (MT).
The blocks that are yet to commence operations include Cudnem-Cormolem, Surla-Sonshi, Tivim-Pirna, Kalay (Sanguem), Monte-de-Sirigao, Curpem-Sulcorna, Onda, and Codli mineral blocks.
