Bhubaneswar: At least five to 10 mines out of the 36 mineral blocks in Odisha will be auctioned in July, informed the State Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick today.
Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organised by Sukinda and Bhubaneswar mining associations here in Bhubaneswar, Mallick said, “In 2020, around 24 mines will be closed but we have already chalked out plans to auction those mines so that our production is not hampered.”
He further said that five to 10 blocks, out of the 36 mineral blocks which are ready for mining operations, will be auctioned next month.
On coal royalty issue, the Minister said that the Centre is yet to consider Odisha's demand for revision of coal royalty.
“Coal Ministry has been appraised regarding our demand. Even Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has written to PM Modi to hike the coal royalty. We hope, the Centre will take a decision in this regard soon,” Mallick added.