Question : BAUXITE MINING

(a) whether the bauxite is being extracted in the agency/scheduled areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the quantum of bauxite extracted in the country during the last three years, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh;

(c) whether the Government has sought the opinion of States on the status of extraction of bauxite;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the response received in this regard so far from each State including Andhra Pradesh;and

(e) the measures taken by the Government to protect bauxite for future?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a): Yes, Madam, as per available information, bauxite is being extracted in the scheduled areas.

(b): As per available information, the details of reporting Bauxite Mines in the scheduled areas of the country are enclosed as Annexure-I and details of the quantum of bauxite extracted from these mines are enclosed as Annexure-II. There is no Mining of bauxite in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

(c)&(d): The Ministry of Mines received 13 proposals from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for grant of mining lease for bauxite in Sapparla Blocks (I-XIII), Visakhapatanam District, Andhra Pradesh in favour of M/s. APMDC Ltd. and after examination of the proposals, the same were returned to the State Government vide letter dated 13.08.2010 taking into account the concerns expressed by the local people relating to environment and ecology.

(e): As on 1.04.2010, the country has a total bauxite resource of 3479.62 million tonnes, which is sufficient for country’s ore requirement.