Question : Lease of Bauxite Mining

(a) whether the Government is aware that Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) has decided to freeze the bauxite deposit of Kutch for upcoming alumina plant being set up by National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and as such GMDC has planned to fulfil all raw bauxite demand of the State from other bauxite deposits of Jamnagar region, if so, the details and facts thereof;
(b) whether the Government is considering eleven bauxite mining lease applications of GMDC in Jamnagar and Kutch districts which has already been forwarded to it in March, 2012;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is aware that the clarifications sought by it have been attended by Gujarat State and replies forwarded for considerations; and
(e) if so, the time by which these bauxite lease in favour of GMDC are to be approved?

(a): In response to the Notice Inviting Bid by GMDC to establish 1 (one) Million Tonne
Per Annum (MTPA) alumina refinery based on bauxite reserves in Kutch district, NALCO had submitted bid in October, 2011. However, the project has not started yet as the availability of bauxite of required quality and quantity has not been established for meeting the requirement of the 1(one) MTPA alumina refinery throughout the plant life. The GMDC has informed Ministry of Mines that on the basis offeasibility report prepared by NALCO, the project is not viable. GMDC is considering withdrawal of the bauxite applications made in Kutch district.

(b) to (e): Eleven Bauxite mining lease (ML) proposals for mines in Jamnagar and Kutch districts for prior approval and relaxation of Section 6 (1) (b) of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 1957 were received in Ministry of Mines. Out of 11 proposals, 4 proposals were returned to the State Government as mineralization in the subject area was not established. For the remaining 7 proposals, additional inputs were sought from the Government of Gujarat. The Ministry of Mines has received certain clarifications from Government of Gujarat which are being examined in consultation with Indian Bureau of Mines and State Government.
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