Launch of NIT for grant of Exploration License Critical Mineral blocks in the state of Chhattisgarh
14-Mar-2024
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TNINS
Raipur : Hon’ble Chief Minister of the state Shri Vishnu Deo Sai launched the NIT for the grant of Exploration Licences (EL) on 13th March 2024 in an inaugural ceremony for 03 mineral blocks of Diamond and REE group of Minerals in the district of Kondagoan Narayanpur and Bastar.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 was to introduce new mineral concession as Exploration Licence for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals to further boost exploration and mining of critical and deep-seated minerals in the country.
This was introduced to with an objective of fast-tracking the exploration of critical minerals like lithium, copper, silver, diamond, gold, etc. with participation of private sector.
The Preferred bidder in the auction of Exploration Licence shall be selected through reverse bidding. The bidders will quote the share they will take in auction premium payable by the mining lease (ML) holder of the blocks explored by them.The bidder quoting lowest percentage bid shall be preferred bidder for exploration licence.
Critical minerals are essential for our country’s economic development and national security. Critical and Strategic Minerals are in high demand and the same is usually met by imports. Critical minerals cater to the needs of sectors like renewable energy, defence, agriculture, pharmaceutical, high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport, creation of gigafactories etc.
The grant of Critical and strategic mineral blocks through e-auction of Exploration Licence provides for reducing the import dependency and it is especially important with a view to increase in revenue to the state. -Shri. P Dayanand, Secretary.
The Mineral Resources Department, Chhattisgarh has already auctioned 08 Critical, strategic and deep seated mineral blocks including Graphite, Glauconite, Nickel Chromium and PGE, gold in last year. Currently, e-auction of a lithium block in Katghora (Korba) is in progress.
The Govt. of India has awarded “Best Performer National Award” to Chhattisgarh for the efforts undertaken for such initiatives. – Shri. Sunil Jain, Special Secretary.
The launch of NIT was held in the presence of Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Hon'ble Deputy CM Shri Arun Sao along with Chief Secretary, Shri Amitabh Jain, DGP, Shri Ashok Juneja, Mining Secretary Shri. P Dayanand, Special Secretary. Shri Sunil Kumar Jain and Nodal Officer Shri. Anurag Diwan, Joint Director, Mining and other officers of the department.
