Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced e-auction of eight major mineral blocks in Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts, lifting a self-imposed embargo of around 2 years.
These eight blocks are part of ten mineral blocks, primarily containing iron and manganese, that were recently authorized for auction by the Steel and Mines department. Four of these are virgin mines with three in Sundargarh while the lease period of the remaining four had expired in 2021.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology on Friday invited bids for e-auction of eight blocks – Koira iron ore block, Jhumka-Pathiriposhi West iron ore block, Orahuri manganese & iron ore block and Bhanjikusum manganese block, all located in Sundargarh district and Roida-I iron ore & manganese block, Putulipani iron ore block, Jalahuri iron ore & manganese block and Roida-D manganese block, all located in Keonjhar district.
Among these Jhumka-Pathiriposhi West iron ore block, Orahuri manganese & iron ore block, Bhanjikusum manganese block and Roida-D manganese block are virgin mines, officials said.
The blocks have been put for auction with the statutory forest and environmental clearances to expedite operationalisation of the mines as directed by the Centre.
Last date for purchase of the tender document after payment of a tender fee of Rs 5 lakh on the website of e-auction platform provider is April 16 and the last date for submission of the bid is April 25. The technical bids will be conducted both in digital and physical format.
Notably, 48 of 457 mineral blocks auctioned in the last one decade are in Odisha. The highest 25 blocks were auctioned in 2019-20, 10 in 2022-23 and nine in 2021-22. The BJP government had earlier hesitated to take a call on e-auction of mines, fearing abnormally low bids which could lead to long-term revenue loss.