India: Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh approves INR 267 crore mining proposal, Govt. to explore new areas for bauxite

On 7th September 2021, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel approved mining proposals worth INR 267 crore.

The proposals are related to several projects of the Mineral Resources Department and Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation and incorporate proposals for the development of Kerwa coal block, Iron Ore Deposit-4, exploration of new bauxite areas, the survey of minerals and upgrade of online mineral portal operated for mining activities.

Chief Minister Baghel, holding the mining portfolio, chaired a meeting of the Mineral Development Fund Advisory Committee, said in an official statement: “At present, the government every year allocates 5% of the amount received as mineral revenue to the Mineral Development Fund. This is utilized to develop minerals in the state and to explore new mining areas and related activities.”

The other dignitaries who attended the meeting are Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Secretary to Chief Minister Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi, Secretary of Mineral Resources Department Anbalgan P., Secretary of Finance Department Alarmelmangai D., Chief General Manager of Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation JK Pashine, Additional Director of Mineral Resources Department Mahesh Babu was present.

The bauxite reserve of around 173 million tonnes is available in three districts of Chhattisgarh, which denotes 4.46% of the country's bauxite reserves, while bauxite is being produced in Surguja, Balrampur and Kabirdham districts.