New Delhi: The bidding for Mahulsukha iron ore and manganese mines in Odisha began on Saturday.
It is the ninth of the 19 enlisted mines to go under the hammer.
Seven mining companies – TP Sao, LTA, GV Mines, Freegrade, Yazdani, Patnaik Minerals and Shyam Ore – are in the final race for the composite block with an estimated reserve of 32.81 MT (iron ore) and 0.731 MT (manganese).
Sao has filed the IPO quoting highest 77 per cent followed by LTA 76.70 per cent, GV Mines 76.70 per cent, Freegrade 76.15 per cent, Yazdani 57.55 per cent, Patnaik Minerals 57 per cent and Shyam Ore 56 per cent.
AMTC (P) Ltd currently holds the lease of this block.
On Friday, Kolkata-based Khatua Narbheram & Co. retained the Roida II iron ore mines at a premium of 90.90 per cent.
JSW has won four blocks – Nuagaon (January 31),Narayanposhi (February 2) and Ganua (February 5) and Jajang (January 6) – with total ore reserve of 1,138.34 million tonnes.
Shyam Ore bagged the Jilling-Langalota iron ore block in Odisha’s Keonjhar district by committing to pay 135 per cent of average sale price to the Odisha government on Wednesday (February 5).
On Tuesday (February 4), Serajuddin and Co retained Balda iron ore block during the auction that went past midnight (2.41 am). ArcelorMittal India Pvt Ltd had won Thakurani iron ore block notified for auction in Odisha on Monday (February 3).
