PANAJI
After successfully e-auctioning 12 mineral blocks, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has initiated a process to carve out potential mineral blocks for auction in the fourth phase.
Since 2023, till date, the State has e-auctioned a total of 12 mineral blocks of which seven blocks have already got Environmental Clearance (EC) while one has commenced fresh operation.
Speaking to The Goan, Director Mines Narayan Gad said that the department is currently working to carve out blocks from the potential mining leases. “At present, we don’t have any mineral block for e-auction. We are working on it,” he said.
The 12 mineral blocks auctioned so far are- Cudnem-Cormolem mineral block, Surla Sonshi mineral block, Advalpale-Tivim mineral block, Cudnem mineral block, Tivim-Pirna mineral block, Kalay mining block in Sanguem, Bicholim-Mulgao mining block, Shirigao-Mayem mining block, Monte-de-Sirigao mining block, Curpem-Sulcorna mineral block, Onda Mineral Block and Codli iron ore block.
Cudnem-Cormolem mineral block, Surla Sonshi mineral block and Curprem-Sulcorna mineral blocks are won by Steel Barron JSW and Tivim-Pirna mineral block by Odisha based Kai International and Onda Mineral Block by Telangana based Agarvanshi Steep Corporation.
The other seven blocks are bagged by State-based companies like Fomento Resources, Vedanta Limited, Salgaocar Shipping and NS Bandekar.
The ECs have been granted to Fomento Resources Pvt Ltd for its Advalpale-Thivim Mineral block, Monte De Sirigao Mineral block belonging to Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd, Sirigao-Mayem mineral block belonging to Vedanta, Cudnem-Cormolem owned by M/S JSW Steel Limited, Cudem Mineral Block of M/s Vedanta Ltd and Odisha based M/s Kai International Pvt Ltd's Thivim and Pirna mineral block (VIII).
M/s Vedanta Ltd was the first to commence operation at its Bicholim Mineral block, since last year.
