Odisha govt to auction 17-18 mines this year: Union mines secy

Bhubaneswar: Union mines secretary Anil G Mukim on Friday said the state government would put up around 17 to 18 mining blocks including iron ore mines for auction this year.

After meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the mines secretary said more mines should be put on auction.

“The state government has informed that they would put up around 17 to 18 mining blocks including iron ore mines for auction this year,” he added.

“Odisha is very pro-active. Not only more mining auctions are taking place but over Rs 5000 crore has been collected under District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and projects are approved from the mining fund. The monetary mechanism has been put in place under DMF,” said the Union mines secretary.