Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 7:

The Odisha government is soon going to set up Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) which would help tap virgin mining fields in the state.

Pic Courtesy: Wikimedia/Commons Pic Courtesy: Wikimedia/Commons

During the 52nd State Geological Programming Board meeting held here today, the top officials of the state government organised a consultation workshop to chalk out the modalities for setting up of the corporation.

“The state government has already taken an in-principle decision to set up Mineral Exploration Corporation. We are now in the process of consultation with various departments. We hope the government would take a decision soon after the modalities are finalised,” RK Sharma, Steel and Mines Secretary said.

It may be recalled that the state government had given in-principle nod to the proposal for setting up of MECL in January this year.

With the Commission coming into being, the G3 level mines identified for auction would be brought into G2 category as per provisions of the amended MMDR Act.

Among others, officials of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), navaratna PSU Nalco, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) were present in the meeting.

Notably, the Commission, which would be a subsidiary company of the state-run OMC, would play a key role in granting operational clearance and extension of leases as per the amended MMDR Act to mines.