Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has reserved its rights over the already extracted iron ore, lying at the four mining block sites put up for e-auction. However, the government will have to exercise its right over the extracted ore within a year from the date of issuance of intent letter to the successful leasehold bidder.
In a corrigendum issued to the tender document, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has said that it is State government’s right to dispose of the already extracted ore either by way of sale, auction or through any other means.
The DMG, through Metal Scrap Trading Corporation (MSTC) had invited tender to e-auction four mining blocks - Mulgao, Sirigao-Mayem and Monte-de-Sirigao all in Bicholim taluka and Kalay mine in Sanguem. As on the last date (November 22), total 51 tender documents were sold.
Monday, November 28, is the final day to bid. The technical bids will be opened on November 29.
The DMG has clarified that the successful bidder will be entitled to dispose of only that part of the ore, which is already lying at the site, where the government does not claim its right.
“The State Government reserves the right, but not the obligation, to appropriate and dispose of, whether by way of sale, auction or such other means as the State Government may, in its sole discretion, determine, all or any part of the ore, the ore already extracted and lying on the surface of the Mineral Block/dumps presently located within the Mineral Block, provided that such right shall be exercised by the State Government no later than 12 (twelve) months from the date of issuance of this Letter of Intent,” the corrigendum stated.
The four mining blocks put up for auction, have approximately 135 million tonnes of ore reserve.
These mines were previously operated by mining firms like M/s Narvekar, M/s Rajaram Bandekar, M/s Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd and Sesa Mining Corporation.