Mentioning the historical progress in mineral revenue and exploration, Chief Minister’s Secretary Mr. P. Dayanand informed that in the financial year 2024-25, Chhattisgarh has earned mineral revenue of approximately Rs 14,195 crore, which is 23% of the state’s total income and 11% of GSDP. The state has successfully allocated 48 major mineral blocks through e-auction. He said that out of the 56 exploration projects of 2024-25, 32 are for strategic, critical and deep-seated minerals. In the past years, 10 blocks of important minerals like graphite, glauconite, nickel-chromium-PGI, and gold have been allocated through e-auction. He said that the country’s first lithium block has been successfully allocated in Katghora, which is a major step towards energy security and reflects the potential and commitment of our state.
Chief Minister’s Secretary Mr. P. Dayanand informed that initiatives like the Mineral Online Portal and Cloud Based Vehicle Tracking System have ensured transparency and efficiency. At the same time, the star rating system for minor minerals, scientific method of mining and sustainable mining with environmental protection have gained strength. He informed that redevelopment of former mines like Kenpara Eco Tourism in Vishrampur and Kinnu Garden in Jamul are important steps taken in this direction. He informed that railway projects worth Rs 720 crore for the construction of railway tracks in the mineral-rich interior areas of the state through the Mineral Development Fund are strengthening the transport infrastructure. He informed that inclusive development of mining-affected areas is being ensured in 33 districts with an amount of more than Rs 15 thousand crore through the DMF portal.
Chief Minister and Union Minister hand over Composite License for Lithium Block and Preferred Bidder Order for Iron Ore Blocks
Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sai and Union Minister Mr. G. Kishan Reddy today handed over the composite license agreement documents for the Katghora Lithium Block and the preferred bidder order for 04 iron ore blocks to the successful bidders during the review meeting. Along with this, 03 geological reports of tin mineral have been handed over to the Ministry of Coal, Government of India for allocation through e-auction. Since tin is a mineral of strategic importance, the right to allocate it under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 lies with the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. Three blocks have been identified by the Mineral Department of the state of Chhattisgarh in Dantewada, Sukma and Bastar districts of Chhattisgarh state. These include village Nerli, district Dantewada; village Kuma Koleng, district Sukma; and village Kuma Koleng, district Sukma and Bastar.
It is noteworthy that the country’s first lithium block has been allocated by the Central Government through e-auction to Maiki South Mining Pvt. Ltd. in the Katghora region of Korba district with the highest bid of 76.05%.
In addition, the state government has allocated a total of four iron ore blocks in Dantewada and Kanker districts to the highest bidders Arcelor Mittal, Rungta Sons and Sagar Stone through e-auction.
On this occasion, Chief Secretary Mr. Amitabh Jain, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mrs. Shahla Nigar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Industry Department Mr. Rajat Kumar, Secretary Mr. Ankit Anand, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Coal Mrs. Rupinder Brar, Joint Secretary Mr. B. P. Pati, Chairman of Coal India Limited Mr. P. M. Prasad, CMD of SECL Mr. Harish Duhan, Director of Minerals Mr. Sunil Jain and officers of Indian Bureau of Mines including officers of the Mineral Department of the Central and State Governments were present.