(a) whether the Government has identified more than 8 lakh sq. km. of potential mining land and decided to hire a global exploration agency for conducting aerial geophysical survey of this land and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether this move has come in the backdrop of Government''s plan to encourage mine exploration in the country and attract private participation in the sector; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
(a): Yes. The Geological Survey of India has initiated a National Aerogeophysical Mapping Program over the identified Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) areas covering an area of about 8 lakh sq. km for acquiring the baseline magnetic and spectrometric data. By2017, aerogeophysical survey over an area of about 2.05 lakh sq. km is planned to be carried out.
(b) & (c): Yes. This is a part of the National Mineral Exploration Policy [NMEP] which has stress on accelerating mineral exploration and attracting private participation in this sector. The NMEP proposes, inter-alia, to attract private exploration agencies through revenue sharing mechanism, carry out aerogeophysical mapping of the country, make available baseline data free of cost as public good, collate and share data of various exploration agencies, and provide a structured framework for targeting deep-seated and conealed mineral deposits.
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