(a) the number of Chrome ore mines in Orissa along with the estimated reserves in those mines;
(b) the private sector companies to whom these mines have been leased out and the royalty received by the Government therefrom annually; and
(c) the employment opportunities generated in the area by the private sector companies?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI JAYSINGRAO GAIKWAD PATIL)
(a) to (c) :As per information maintained by Indian Bureau of Mines, a subordinate office of Ministry of Mines, 16 chrome ore mines had reported production in 2000-01 in Orissa out of which 10 are in private sector. The private sector Companies to which these mines have been leased out are B.C.Mohanty & Sons (P) Ltd., Ferro Alloys Corpn Ltd.(three mining leases), Indian Charge Chrome Ltd., Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd.(three mining leases), Misrilal Mines(P) Ltd. and Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. The total recoverable reserves of chrome in Orissa is around 83.6 million tonnes.
As per the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and Rules framed thereunder, Mineral Concessions including mining leases are granted by the respective State Governments to an Indian National or to a Company registered under the Companies Act, 1956. The State Governments collect royalty in respect of the mining leases granted for the minerals including for chromite. The details of royalty received by the State Governments from these mines or the employment opportunities generated by the private sector companies are not maintained centrally.