Odisha readies 40 mineral blocks for auction; panel to decide on modalities

After drawing a blank in mineral e-auctions in the last fiscal, Odisha has readied 40 blocks for auction in 2019-20.

The blocks to be offered for auctions are a mix of virgin deposits and leases, owned by private miners, which are set to expire by March 31, 2020.

“Among the virgin blocks, we have lined up resources of iron ore, manganese, limestone and chromite. A high level panel of the state government will meet by the end of this month to decide on the modalities and time frame of auctions”, said a government official.

In 2018-19, 19 mineral blocks were auctioned by states