Now, DGPS survey for coal blocks

The survey of coal blocks will be one of the guiding factors for grant of mining lease or prospecting license

After iron ore and manganese ore lessees, its now the turn of coal block allocates to brace themselves for DGPS (differential global positioning system) survey.

The survey of coal blocks will be one of the guiding factors for grant of ML (mining lease) or prospecting license (PL).

The state steel & mines department has issued guidelines for DGPS survey and preparation of digital geo-referenced maps for coal blocks.

The survey will be done by Odisha Space Application Centre (ORSAC), the state notified agency or through its empanelled agency.

Coal blocks where demarcation has already been carried out prior to the issue of these guidelines are to be taken up first for verification by ORSAC.

Block boundary of coal blocks where demarcation has been completed by adopting conventional survey procedure will be verified through DGPS survey by ORSAC and such verified coal block boundary will be considered as final and frozen.

The survey will be carried out in the presence of representatives of concerned coal block allocates, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), deputy director of mines and the concerned divisional forest officer and tahasildar. Allocates of coal blocks having common boundary will also be notified to remain present during field demarcation.

According to the guidelines, all coal block allocates should apply to ORSAC for preparation of digital geo-referenced block boundary map. The coal block allotment order of the Ministry of Coal and CMPDI certified coal block map also need to be submitted.

The allocatee has to bear all the expenses associated with the DGPS survey and preparation of digital geo-referenced block map as per estimates submitted by ORSAC.

ORSAC will draw up a coal block wise survey schedule and communicate it to CMPDI, director of mines, the concerned district collector, deputy director of mines, divisional forest officer, tahasildar as well as the coal block allocatee.