The Odisha state government has put the auction of Karlapat bauxite and iron ore block on hold until further notice following a court order.
The block that was called for auction is located near the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, an allotted elephant corridor in Kalahandi district contemplated ecologically very sensitive and environmentalists opposed to the mining operation in the notified area.
On 21st September 2021, the Directorate of Mines under the Steel and Mines Department, Govt. of Odisha, in a notice stated: "In compliance to the interim order of the Hon’ble High Court of Odisha dated 9th September 2021, auction process of Karlapat Bauxite Block has been put on hold till further notice."
The directorate further said: “The invitation of bids for grant of mining lease for iron ore, iron ore and manganese, iron ore and dolomite and bauxite minerals dated July 7, 2021, was issued by the Odisha government.”
Karlapat was among the 11 mineral blocks, comprising the seven virgin mines, put up for auction by the state government of Odisha for which the bidding process initiated on Saturday.
Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) secured the Kasia iron ore block in the auction process, at a premium of 118.1%. ESL Steel Ltd bagged the Nadidih iron ore block in Sundergarh district by committing to pay a premium of 95.6%. The mineral block, spread over 73.85 hectares, is one of the oldest in the Koira mining sector.
Odisha has so far received 123 bids for the 11 mineral deposits, while vital players in the bid incorporates Jindal Steel and Power Limited, Adani, JSW, Tata Steel, ArcelorMittal, Essel Mining and Industries Limited, Rungta Mines Ltd, MSPL, Vedanta and NMDC.
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