Distributed the composite license contract of the country’s first lithium block
Team News Riveting
Raipur, April 11
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Coal, and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday held a review meeting of the state’s mineral department at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur.
In the meeting, a detailed review of Chhattisgarh’s mineral wealth, exploration work, technological innovations and revenue achievements was done. Reddy expressed happiness over Chhattisgarh’s achievements in the mining sector and spoke about the leading role of the state in the progress of the country. He expressed happiness over achieving the target of 1 billion tonnes of coal production in the country in the year 2024-2025 and appreciated the contribution of Chhattisgarh in achieving it.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister and the Union Minister handed over the composite license contract documents of the country’s first lithium block to the representative of the successful bidder. Also, preferred bidder orders were provided for three iron ore blocks in Dantewada district and one in Kanker district.
Sai said that today’s review meeting will be beneficial for the coal and mining sector in the state. “We will make Chhattisgarh’s participation in the mining sector more effective by doing necessary coordination with the central government. Our goal is to make our state a strong pillar through the mineral sector in the construction of a developed India,” he said, adding that Chhattisgarh is a state full of mineral resources and many innovative initiatives have been taken to ensure proper and sustainable use of resources.
The Chief Minister said that measures like Mineral Online Portal, e-auction process, and star rating are being adopted to bring transparency, environmental responsibility and technical efficiency. He said that priority is being given to the inclusive development of mining affected areas through DMF.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said that Chhattisgarh is a very rich and strategically important state in terms of mineral resources. Along with important minerals like coal, iron ore, bauxite, limestone, Chhattisgarh also has the distinction of being the only tin producing state in the country.
Reddy said that the role of ‘critical minerals’ and mining sector is very important in the creation of a developed India. The pioneering steps taken by Chhattisgarh in this direction are a milestone in making India self-reliant. He said that the Central Government will work with the State Government for exploration, sustainable use of mineral resources and development of mining affected areas. He expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh will continue to contribute effectively to the overall development of the country by playing its strong role in the mineral sector.
The Union Minister mentioned the inspection of the country’s largest coal mine Gevra during his stay in Chhattisgarh. He also appreciated the innovations and state-of-the-art technologies being done in the mine. Referring to the tree plantation site developed with Japanese Miyawaki technology in Gevra, he also talked about the use of this initiative on a large scale. Reddy also talked about providing solar power under PM Surya Ghar Yojana in mining affected areas. He also inquired about the progress of the dedicated coal corridor being built for coal transportation in view of the increasing traffic pressure and civil safety in the mining areas.
Secretary to the Chief Minister and Mineral Resources Department P Dayanand gave detailed information about the mining activities and policies run by the State Government through a powerpoint presentation. He informed that many important initiatives have been taken by better coordinating the policies of the Central and State Government for proper exploitation and management of mineral resources. He said there are 28 types of minerals present in the state. Despite being only 4 per cent of the total area of the country, the state contributes more than 17 per cent to the national mineral production value and ranks second among mineral producing states.
Referring to the historic progress in mineral revenue and exploration, Dayanand informed that in the financial year 2024-25, Chhattisgarh has earned mineral revenue of about Rs 14,195 crore, which is 23 per cent of the total income of the state and 11 per cent of GSDP. The state has successfully allocated 48 main mineral blocks through e-auction. He said that out of 56 exploration projects of 2024-25, 32 are for strategic, critical and deep-seated minerals. In the last few years, 10 blocks of important minerals like graphite, glauconite, nickel-chromium-PGI, and gold have been allocated through e-auction.
He said that the country’s first lithium block has been successfully allocated in Katghora, which is a big step towards energy security and it reflects the capability and commitment of our state. Dayanand informed that initiatives like Khanij Online Portal, Cloud Based Vehicle Tracking System have ensured transparency and efficiency. On the other hand, the star rating system for minor minerals, scientific method of mining and sustainable mining with environmental protection have been strengthened. He informed that projects for redevelopment of former mines like Kenpara Eco Tourism in Visrampur and Kinnow Garden in Jamul are important steps taken in this direction. He informed that railway projects worth Rs. 720 crore for construction of railway tracks in the mineral rich interior areas of the state from Mineral Development Fund are strengthening the transport infrastructure. He informed that inclusive development of mining affected areas is being ensured in 33 districts with an amount of more than 15 thousand crores through DMF portal.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy provided the composite license contract documents of Katghora Lithium Block and Preferred Bidder Orders of 04 iron ore blocks to the successful bidders during the review meeting today. Along with this, 03 geological reports of tin minerals have been submitted to the Ministry of Coal, Government of India for allocation through e-auction. Since tin is a mineral of strategic importance, the Ministry of Mines, Government of India has the right to allocate it under the Mineral Act. The Mineral Department of the state has identified three blocks under Dantewada, Sukma and Bastar districts of Chhattisgarh state. These include village Nerli, District Dantewada; Village Kuma Koleng, District Sukma; and Village Kuma Koleng, District Sukma and Bastar.
It is noteworthy that India’s first lithium block has been allotted by the Central Government to Maiki South Mining Pvt. Ltd. in Katghora area of Korba district through e-auction with the highest bid of 76.05 per cent. Apart from this, the state government has allotted a total of four iron ore blocks of Dantewada and Kanker districts to the highest bidders ArcelorMittal, Rungta Sons and Sagar Stone through e-auction.
Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Secretary of Coal Ministry Mrs. Rupinder Brar, Joint Secretary B P Pati, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mrs. Shehla Nigar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Industries Department Rajat Kumar, Secretary Ankit Anand, Chairman of Coal India Limited P M Prasad, CMD of SECL Harish Duhan, Mineral Director of CMDC Sunil Jain and officials of Indian Bureau of Mines along with officials of the Mineral Department of Central and State Government were present at the meeting.
