Centre asks AP to auction major mineral bearing areas

Hyderabad, July 30 (INN): Union Secretary for Mines Balvinder Kumar on Thursday met Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao at the State Secretariat to discuss on the preparedness of the State Government to go for auctions of identified major mineral bearing areas in Andhra Pradesh State.

Reports of Geological Survey of India, pertains to Bauxite in Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Kurnool and Ananthapur Districts are reviewed and the Bauxite occurred in agency areas was reserved for A.P. Mineral Development Corporation Ltd., Chief Secretary said.

The Chief Secretary issued instructions to the Vice Chairman and Managing Director APMDC to take up exploration of Bauxite either by APMDC or to go for transparent method of allotment to private parties.

Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) informed that they have three exploration reports pertains to Gold in Kurnool and Ananthapuram Districts and two reports pertains to Lead and Zinc in Kadapa District and three blocks of Gold reported by Geological Survey of India (GSI) are to be reconciled with MECL reports for its finalization.

Six blocks of Limestone in Guntur (5 blocks) and Kurnool (1 block) Districts, three blocks of Manganese in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam Districts are identified and proposed for auction. For demarcation and identification of blocks in the field, it is necessary to involve GSI and MECL for preparation of Geological reports with details of estimation of Mineral Reserves and its evaluation.

Balvinder Kumar wanted that a competitive bidding policy to be followed by Government of Andhra Pradesh for Minor Minerals as is being done by other State and in tune with Supreme Court directions. He also informed that two blocks of Lead and Zinc in Kadapa is included along with nine blocks of Limestone and Manganese after obtaining the reports from MECL.

The Chief Secretary suggested identifying the remaining limestone area available in Kolimiguntla of Kurnool District. The Officers informed that GSI will be consulted for the same and to take steps for its identification and possibility to go for auction.
Krishna Rao has released a Book on 'Geology and Mineral Resources of Andhra Pradesh' and a DVD video on 'Rock Treasures' of Southern Region, published by Geological Survey of India.

S. Kannan, Addl. Director General, Geological Survey of India Southern Region, P.A. Ramesh, Dy. Director General; R.M. Sundaram Director, Policy Support Systems, Southern Region; V. Aneel Kumar, Director and Protocol Officer are accompanied with Balvinder Kumar and Secretary Industries S.S. Rawat, Director of Mines and Geology B.R.V. Susheel Kumar attend the meeting.