Mines and Development




1. MINING OF CHROMITE

Unstarred Question 4047
15/12/2009

(a) the details of chromite deposit areas in the country, State-wise;

(b) the estimated quantum of chromite extracted/exported/consumed in the country;

(c) the number of private operators exploiting chrome ore in the country including Orissa;

(d) the number of applications received from the State Governments including Orissa for seeking prior aproval of allotment of mining rights of chromite during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(e) the status of such applications; and

(f) the time by which pending proposals are likely to be cleared?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K.HANDIQUE)

(a) &(b): State-wise information on reserves, production, export and consumption of chromite is given in the Indian Minerals Year Book published by the Indian Bureau of Mines, a copy of which has been supplied to the Parliament Library.

(c): As per available information, eight private sector operators are exploiting chromite ore in the country including Orissa during 2008-09.

(d)to(f): The status of applications received from the State Governments for prior approvals of the Central Government for grant of mineral concessions are given on the website of Ministry of Mines (http://mines.gov.in).

2. BAUXITE RESERVES
Unstarred Question 2994
8/12/2009

(a) the estimated quantum of bauxite reserves in the country, State-wise including Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh;

(b) the steps taken for exploitation of bauxite reserves in the country; and

(c) the number of proposals received by the Government from the State Governments seeking approval for allotment of mining rights alongwith the status of such proposals during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)

(a) : State-wise information on total reserves of Bauxite is given in the Indian Minerals Year Book published by the Indian Bureau of Mines, a copy of which has been supplied to the Parliament Library.

(b) : Mining of minerals depends broadly on availability of mineral resources, economic viability, demand of the market etc. Under the liberalised economic environment, investment decisions are taken by the entrepreneurs based on their techno-economic judgements and commercial considerations. The Government has announced the National Mineral Policy, 2008, which enunciates policy measures like assured right to next stage mineral concession, transferability of mineral concessions and transparency in allotment of concessions, in order to reduce delays which are seen as impediments to investment and technology flow in the mining sector in India. The Government has also revised the threshold values for 12 minerals, including Bauxite, which would entail stacking and utilisation of low grade ore. These policy initiatives would provide suitable environment for optimum exploitation of the mineral potential of the country, including Bauxite.

(c) : The details of the proposals received by Government from the State Governments for grant of mineral concessions are given on the website of Ministry of Mines (http://mines.gov.in).

3. EXPLOITATION OF MINERALS
Unstarred Question 1986
1/12/2009

(a) whether the mineral resources of the country are not being exploited optimally;

(b) if so, the details thereof, mineral-wise alongwith the reasons therefor; and

(c) the corrective step taken/being taken by the Government for optimum exploitation of minerals including precious and semi-precious stones in the country?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)


(a) & (b): Mining of minerals depends broadly on availability of mineral resources, economic viability, demand of the market etc. Under the liberalised economic environment, investment decisions are taken by the entrepreneurs based on their techno-economic judgements and commercial considerations.

(c): The Government has announced the National Mineral Policy, 2008, which enunciates policy measures like assured right to next stage mineral concession, transferability of mineral concessions and transparency in allotment of concessions, in order to reduce delays which are seen as impediments to investment and technology flow in the mining sector in India. The Government has also revised the threshold values for 12 minerals which would entail stacking and utilisation of low grade ore. These policy initiatives would provide suitable environment for optimum exploitation of the mineral potential of the country, including precious and semi-precious stones.