CMDC to resume bauxite mining in Naxal-hit Bastar

State-run Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) will resume bauxite mining operations in the Naxal-hit Keshkal area of Bastar district.

The mining activities in the mineral-rich area were suspended a few years ago by the CMDC authorities following threats from the extremist group and growing incidents of Naxal violence.

Keshkal region is endowed with rich minerals. But a major part of it is under the sway of Naxalites. The CMDC has, however, decided to resume the mining operations in the bauxite reserves.

Officials with the corporation said that they had identified about 20 hectares of land in Kudarvahi village for mining. The Keshkal reserve has an estimated bauxite deposits of 3,00,000 tonnes, officials added.

Sources said that bauxite mining in the area could continue for 16 years. We are preparing an action plan to start the mining operations in phases, the officials said, adding that the details of the plan for resuming the operations cannot be revealed for security reasons.

The operation could start in next three-four months. CMDC would mine 34,000 tonnes of bauxite in the next five years.

In the first two years, 10,000 tonnes of bauxite would be mined and the production would be increased subsequently.

The officials said that the Keshkal reserve contained high-quality bauxite, but unfortunately, it could not be used due to insurgency in the region. Sources said the CMDC's operation would boost mining activities in the area which also has high-quality iron-ore reserves.