Patna, September 28: An important meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Coal and Mining Satish Chandra Dubey to speed up scientific exploration of mineral resources, development of mineral blocks and transparent e-auction process in Bihar. The meeting was attended by the State Minister for Mines and Geology, Dr. Pramod Kumar, along with officials from the concerned departments, Geological Survey of India (GSI), National Mineral Exploration Trust, MECL and other institutions.

In the meeting, the possibilities of utilization of coal resources through underground coal gasification in the discovered coal block of Bhagalpur were discussed in detail. The Union Minister of State said that the Center will provide necessary support for scientific and modern technology based utilization of mineral resources of Bihar. Progress will also be made on the proposal to hold a road show in Patna to apprise potential investors and bidders of the technical feasibility.

Dr. Pramod Kumar said that the mineral wealth of Bihar is the main basis for the industrial and economic development of the state. The government is committed to complete the e-auction and production process in a timely manner along with scientific, transparent and sustainable exploration and exploitation of mineral resources.

The meeting also reviewed progress on e-auction, production and delivery of blocks of glauconite, limestone and other key minerals. Emphasis was placed on early production and delivery in the Papradia-Bhorwa and Chitta-Nohta glauconite blocks of Rohtas, the Bhora-Kathra Limestone block and the Ganjana nickel-chromium and PGE block in Gaya.

Officials also discussed widening the scope of mineral exploration in Bihar, hiring competent private agencies besides GSI and completing e-auction of stone blocks within the stipulated period. The meeting discussed the future strategy along with better coordination between the Center and the state to promote investment in the mineral sector, industrial activities and the potential of increasing state revenue.