Patna. A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey on Monday with the aim of scientific exploration of mineral resources, development of mineral blocks and speeding up the transparent e-auction process in Bihar. In this, detailed discussions were held on various topics related to the mineral sector of the state.
Bihar’s Mines and Geology Minister Dr. Pramod Kumar, senior officials of the department, representatives of Geological Survey of India (GSI), National Mineral Exploration Trust, MECL and related institutions were present in the meeting. Special discussion was held on the possibilities of utilization of coal resources through underground coal gasification in the explored coal block in Bhagalpur district. The Mines and Geology Department requested to consider the proposal related to underground coal gasification favorably and provide necessary coordination and cooperation.
Union Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey said that the Central Government will provide necessary support for scientific and modern technology based utilization of mineral resources available in Bihar. He said that further action will be taken after reviewing the technical possibilities of options like underground coal gasification.
The Union Minister of State also talked about taking initiative towards organizing a road show in Patna to make the potential investors and bidders aware of the technical possibilities.
Bihar’s Mines and Geology Minister Dr. Pramod Kumar said that Bihar’s mineral wealth is an important basis for the industrial and economic development of the state. The government’s effort is to ensure scientific, transparent and sustainable use of mineral resources and to complete the process from exploration to e-auction and production in a time bound manner.
Measures to accelerate mineral exploration work were also discussed in the meeting. The need to conduct comprehensive exploration of various minerals through notified private exploration agencies other than GSI was considered. The progress and future action plan of e-auction of blocks related to major minerals including glauconite and limestone were also reviewed.
Preparations for production in the auctioned Pipradih-Bhurwa and Chutia-Nouhatta glauconite blocks and Bhora-Kathara limestone block of Rohtas district were reviewed. The status of production and dispatch in Genzana nickel-chromium and PGE block of Gayaji district was also discussed. Emphasis was laid on completing all the statutory procedures and starting production and dispatch soon.
During the meeting, the progress of e-auction of stone plots in Bihar was also reviewed. Necessary actions were discussed to complete the e-auction process within the stipulated time frame and to ensure prompt production and dispatch from mineral blocks.