Mining of critical minerals, rare earthelements to begin in 2 years: Minister

Patna: State mines and geology minister Pramod Kumar Chandravanshi on Saturday said Bihar is set to witness large-scale mining operations for a dozen critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs) within the next couple of years in seven districts of south Bihar.“This has become possible as their last-stage detailed exploration, called G1 exploration in mining parlance, is set to begin shortly under the Centre’s supervision,” Chandravanshi told this newspaper on Saturday.The districts identified for the proposed mining operations are Rohtas (glauconite), Gaya (nickel, chromium and magnetite iron ore), Jehanabad (magnetite), Gaya-Aurangabad (tin, tungsten and REEs), Bhagalpur (fine clay, REEs and aluminium), Banka (copper, lead and zinc) and Jamui (magnetite).Chandravanshi said the mineral blocks earmarked for mining have been divided between the Centre and the state. According to him, the Centre has retained 10 mining blocks while the remaining three have been left to the state mines and geology department.“The completion of the initial G3 exploration, followed by G2 activities, has yielded information about promising target areas for mining operations, along with their geological features and the size and shape of the mineral deposits,” he said.“Only the last G1 or detailed exploration, also called the final survey, remains to be completed. It will help collect and prepare data on the exact dimensions of the mineral deposits and their related features. It will require the use of more specialised technologies, including drones, and sophisticated assessment and analysis of the data,” he said.The minister added the exercise would take around two years to complete, after which mining operations could begin.In this connection, the Centre has already completed the tendering process for the G1-level survey of two glauconite blocks in Rohtas and one nickel-chromium block in Gaya.“As for the remaining seven blocks with the Centre, the tendering process began on May 20 to invite bids. Once the process is completed and work orders are issued to the selected firms, surveys of all these blocks located in Gaya, Jehanabad, Rohtas, Gaya-Aurangabad and Bhagalpur districts will also begin,” Chandravanshi said.According to the minister, mining operations in the 10 blocks under the Centre would bring significant benefits to Bihar.“It will create local employment for both skilled and unskilled workers. Besides, the state will get royalty on the minerals mined, SGST collections and District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, which will be used for development activities, among other benefits,” Chandravanshi said.