Madhya Pradesh to e-auction 3 limestone blocks

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh's Mineral Resources Department will e-auction three blocks of limestone in the state.

Central government undertaking MSTC, which successfully conducted the e-auctioning of coal blocks, has been entrusted with the responsibility of e-auctioning state's three major mineral blocks, an official release said today.

Earlier, mining department had carried out the e-auctioning of sand. Stone and stone slabs are also being e-auctioned in the state, it said.

Limestone is mainly found in districts of Satna, Katni, Rewa, Dhar, Neemuch and Damoh.

Last year, the state government received a revenue of over Rs 271 crore from limestone and is expected to earn a revenue of Rs 310 crore this year.

In the first phase of e-action of limestone, three mines will be e-auctioned, including two blocks at villages Bandarkha and Ghuisa in Amarpatan tehsil of Satna and one block at village Nimarmunda in Hata tehsil of Damoh district, it said.

Certification of cement quality deposits in these blocks has been undertaken by state's Geology and Mining Directorate.

Bandarkha limestone block spread over 121.07 hectares has 17.20 million tonnes of certified deposits. Ghuisa limestone block is spread over 57.79 hectares having 9.98 million tonnes of certified deposits and Nimarmunda limestone block in Damoh is spread over 125.423 hectares with 6.58 million tonnes of cement quality deposits.

The state has appointed Union government undertaking Mekan Limited, Ranchi, as technical advisor for the two blocks in Satna and SBI Cap, New Delhi, for one block in Damoh, it added.