Jaipur: Mines department has identified 31 blocks for explorations of major and minor minerals and their auctions in financial year 2023-24. The minerals include uranium, rare earth elements, limestone, lignite, iron ore, copper, zinc, and garnet among others.
In order to expedite the exploration work, the department is planning to strengthen the geology wing with more human resources and capacity building. Similarly, it is also trying to bring in best practices for efficient use of resources in a time-bound manner.
In a meeting of the State Geological Programming Board, ACS (mines and petroleum) Subodh Agarwal said, “The successful auction of limestone blocks in Jaisalmer in 2022-13 will catapult the district to the map of India as a cement hub. The planning, strategy and execution will shift to a higher gear in 2023-24 as we have identified 31 blocks for exploration and auction.”
He said to achieve the new target, resource mobilization, capacity building, and strategic planning would be the key. “The Geology Wing of the state would be made more resourceful by making available the latest technology, funds and capacity building for expediting the exploration work.”
The mines department is also looking out for best prices adopted elsewhere for improving its efficiency in exploration. “The mining and exploration practices followed in Odisha could be valuable. We would like to understand their processes and practices. Relevant aspects can be studied for adoption in Rajasthan as well,” said Agarwal.
While the state government has identified 31 blocks, the central agencies like Geological Survey of India and MECL are also engaged in exploration in the state. Preparing blocks for the auction of potash mines would be an achievement for the state government. But it needs the cooperation of the central agencies.
Director mines Sandesh Nayak said, “Along with abundant reserves of rock phosphate, mineral fertilizers are being prepared from gypsum etc. Now, there is a priority on the exploration work of potash so that the dependence on import can be reduced”.
In order to expedite the exploration work, the department is planning to strengthen the geology wing with more human resources and capacity building. Similarly, it is also trying to bring in best practices for efficient use of resources in a time-bound manner.
In a meeting of the State Geological Programming Board, ACS (mines and petroleum) Subodh Agarwal said, “The successful auction of limestone blocks in Jaisalmer in 2022-13 will catapult the district to the map of India as a cement hub. The planning, strategy and execution will shift to a higher gear in 2023-24 as we have identified 31 blocks for exploration and auction.”
He said to achieve the new target, resource mobilization, capacity building, and strategic planning would be the key. “The Geology Wing of the state would be made more resourceful by making available the latest technology, funds and capacity building for expediting the exploration work.”
The mines department is also looking out for best prices adopted elsewhere for improving its efficiency in exploration. “The mining and exploration practices followed in Odisha could be valuable. We would like to understand their processes and practices. Relevant aspects can be studied for adoption in Rajasthan as well,” said Agarwal.
While the state government has identified 31 blocks, the central agencies like Geological Survey of India and MECL are also engaged in exploration in the state. Preparing blocks for the auction of potash mines would be an achievement for the state government. But it needs the cooperation of the central agencies.
Director mines Sandesh Nayak said, “Along with abundant reserves of rock phosphate, mineral fertilizers are being prepared from gypsum etc. Now, there is a priority on the exploration work of potash so that the dependence on import can be reduced”.
