By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 9, 2016 : Odisha government is likely to issue notification to auction five mines.

The state steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallick revealed that relevant information for the purpose has been provided to Metal and Scrap Trading Corporation and SBI CAPS. “We have written to SBI CAPS in August. If they complete documentation then we will go for auction in August itself.”

“The Centre has given clearance for prospecting license and mining lease for two limestone mines. Similarly, three mines have been upgraded to G-2 level from G-3 level,” Deepak Mohanty, Diector Mines told media persons,.

The state government had issued notification to auction Gheraburani Sagasahi iron ore mines in Sundargarh district on December 21, 2015. That was the first mines put for auction in the state. After a gap of eight months, the Mines department has expedited the process for auction of mines in the state.

The department has identified nine mines for auction spread over in the districts of Malkangiri, Nuapada, Keonjhar, Koraput and Sundargarh which include three iron ore mines, four limestone mines, and one each of bauxite and manganese.