TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: In a bid to ensure better response for the stacked iron ore e-auction, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has relaxed its condition for bidders to register themselves with the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) before participating in the auction process. IBM registration is now mandatory only while selling ore after e-auction.
Mines Dept had initially directed bidders to get themselves registered as traders with IBM under Rule 45 of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules 1988. Of the total 15 million metric tons of ore, one million metric tons would be e-auctioned in the first phase that is expected to begin next week.
Mines Director Prasanna Acharya said that department has relaxed bid document clause that makes applicant mandatory to register with IBM before bidding.
“We realised that the bidder does not have to register them with IBM just to participate in the auction process. Once a bidder wins the auction, he has to register as trader to sell or transport the ore,” he said.
While refusing to disclose the details about the number of applications received for the e-auction, Director said ‘overall response has been very good…we have got applications from all over India. However, compared to the rest of India, the response from Goa mine owners is poor’.
So far there are no applications from foreign countries, Acharya said adding that applications might come at a later stage.
DMG has already made it clear that those involved in illegal mining would not be allowed to participate.
Meanwhile, a one day training programme for the prospective bidders would be held on January 30.
The training would be provided by the Metal and Scrap Trading Corporation (MSTC), the service provider for platform for the auction. After training, login ID and Password would be given to the bidders to participate in the auction.
