PANJIM: The State government on Wednesday issued Letters of Intent (LoI) to the five mining companies who had won the mineral blocks during the second round of e-auction held in April. The State government expects the mining operations to commence by March 2024.
The five mining companies include – Steel Barron JSW, who bagged two mineral blocks – Cudnem-Cormolem mineral block and Surla Sonshi mineral block; Fomento Resources that won Advalpale-Tivim mineral block; Vedanta Limited that got Cudnem mineral block and Odisha based Kai International, who won Tivim-Pirna mineral block.
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The companies have paid a total amount of Rs 12 crore as the upfront fees to the Directorate of Mines and Geology.
Accordingly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday issued the LoI.
Three of these blocks – Advalpale-Tivim mineral block, Cudnem-Cormolem mineral block and Tivim-Pirna mineral block do not require Environment Clearances (EC) as the leases are categorised under Section 8B of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act 1957, which speaks about transfer of statutory clearances vested with the previous lessee for a period of two years.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sawant said that so far total nine mineral blocks have been auctioned including four in the first phase held last year. He said that more blocks have been identified for auction that will take place soon.
“In all probability, we expect the mining operations to start soon. We expect the mining operations to commence by March 2024,” he said.
The five mineral blocks sold in the second round have total iron ore reserves of 89.2 million tonne and valued at Rs 12,000 crore.
Of the four mineral blocks auctioned in the first round, the environment public hearing of the Bicholim block I, won by Vedanta, will be held next month.
The terms of reference (ToR) for the EC of the Sirigao-Mayem block II and the Monte de Sirigao block III are under assessment with the state environment assessment committee (SEAC).
The state’s first round of e-auction of four mineral blocks valued at Rs 43,000 crore got completed in December 2022.
