Lok Sabha Question No. 4480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: NMET
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Bhola Singh

4480. SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of  MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether the National Mineral Exploration Trust is carrying out regional  and  detailed  exploration  for  augmentation  of  mineral  resource  of  the country;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof and the locations where the said trust has found minerals during exploration activities during last four years with the names and quantity of minerals explored;
- (c)    whether there is any proposal pending to explore minerals in Western Uttar Pradesh;
- (d)     if so, the details and reasons there for;
- (e)     the welfare measures undertaken by the Trust for the families of mining workers; and
- (f)     The other steps and measures being taken by the Government for strengthening of mines sector in India?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a) The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) is funding regional and detailed exploration for augmenting the mineral resource of the country.
- (b) NMET, so far, has approved total of 200 mineral exploration projects for different commodities, out of which 117 projects have been completed. The Notified Exploration Agencies have carried out the mineral exploration and submitted Geological report along with resource estimation in the following blocks:

|   S. No. | Block                                                           | State          | Mineral   | Resource                                                                           |
|----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Nahardih-Maghaipur Block Tehsil- Tilda, District- Raipur        | Chhattisgarh   | Limestone | 110 mt cement grade.                                                               |
|        2 | Udagi Block, Chittarpur Taluk, District- Kalaburagi             | Karnataka      | Limestone | 385.35 MT Cement Grade with 45.66% CaO 74.06 MT Blendable Grade with 42.86% CaO    |
|        3 | Diggoan Block, Chittarpur Taluk, District- Kalaburagi           | Karnataka      | Limestone | 530.80 MT Cement Grade with 45.45% CaO; 281.87 MT Blendable Grade with 41.30-% CaO |
|        4 | Ramsthan- Ghunchihai - Jamodi- Mahanna Part-A , District- Satna | Madhya Pradesh | Limestone | 209.77 MT                                                                          |
|        5 | Naubasta-Kolad Block, Tehsil- Nagod, District- Satna            | Madhya Pradesh | Limestone | 166.05 MT with average grade of 44.77% CaO                                         |

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4480

ANSWERED ON 30.03.2022

## NMET

|   6 | Jamodi Mahanna (Part-B) Block, Tehsil- Raghurajnagar, District- Satna   | Madhya Pradesh   | Limestone   | 90.29 MT Cement grade with 44.18% Cao   |
|-----|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-------------|-----------------------------------------|
|   7 | Purheibahal Block , District- Sundargarh                                | Odisha           | Iron        | 42.12 MT                                |
|   8 | Chandiposhi Block, District- Sundargarh                                 | Odisha           | Iron        | 42.36 MT                                |
|   9 | Jumka-Pathriposhi Block, District- Sundargarh                           | Odisha           | Iron        | 140.28 MT                               |
|  10 | Tamiya Block, District- Bolangir                                        | Odisha           | Manganese   | 0.703 MT with avg. grade of 23.04% Mn   |
|  11 | Rengali Block, District- Bolangir                                       | Odisha           | Manganese   | 0.328 MT with 21.37% Mn                 |
|  12 | Gothra-Parasrampura East Block , Tehsil- Nawalgarh, District- Jhunjhunu | Rajasthan        | Limestone   | 160.757 MT with 48.46% CaO.             |
|  13 | Gothra-Parasrampura West Block , Tehsil- Nawalgarh, District- Jhunjhunu | Rajasthan        | Limestone   | 158.715 MT with 49.54% CaO              |
|  14 | Lakhasar Block, District- Bikaner                                       | Rajasthan        | Potash      | 73.83 MT 4.65% K at 3% cut off          |
|  15 | Namakkal Block, District- Namakkal, Perambalur                          | Tamil Nadu       | Dunite      | 60.35 MT on net Dunite with 35.22% MgO  |
|  16 | Sultanpur Block, Mattampally-Mandal, District- Suryapet                 | Telangana        | Limestone   | 80.21 MT with 47.10% CaO                |
|  17 | Pasupulabodu Block, Nereducherla Mandal, District- Suryapet             | Telangana        | Limestone   | 41.68 MT, CaO 46.39%                    |
|  18 | Saidulanama Block, Nereducherla Mandal, District- Suryapet              | Telangana        | Limestone   | 71.86 MT with 46.79% CaO                |
|  19 | Mandri-Panchala Tah Ramtek, Dist-Nagpur                                 | Maharashtra      | Manganese   | 0.213 MT with 23.25% Mn                 |

- (c) No proposal for mineral exploration in Western Uttar Pradesh is pending as on date.
- (d) Not Applicable
- (e) National  Mineral  Exploration  Trust  (NMET)  is  not  mandated  to  undertake  the welfare of the families of mining workers.

(f) The  Ministry  of  Mines  has  amended  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  & Regulation) ( MMDR ) Act, 1957 through MMDR Amendment Act, 2021 with effect from 28.03.2021. The objectives of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2021 inter alia are increasing mineral production and time bound operationalisation of mines, increasing employment and investment in the mining sector, maintaining continuity in mining operations after change of lessee and increasing the pace of exploration and auction of mineral resources. These reforms will  ensure  self-sufficiency  in  mineral  requirement  of  the  country.  The subordinate rules have also been amended after amendment in the Act.

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