Union Ministry of Mines and Coal Allots Seven Blocks for Mining of Various Minerals in Bihar | 16 Jan 2023

Why In News?

• Recently, Union Ministry of Mines and Coal has allotted seven blocks to Bihar State Government for mining of Gluconite (Potash), Chromium, Nickel including Platinum Group of Elements, Magnetite (Iron), Bauxite and Rare Earth metals in Bihar.

Key points

• The mining of these minerals will start this year itself. For this, the proposal for approval of mining in all these will be presented in the meeting of the State Council of Ministers on behalf of the Department of Mines and Geology. In this, guidelines will also be set regarding the income from mineral elements to the state government and the mining agency.
• As soon as the approval of the State Council of Ministers is received, the auction process of the mines present in the four districts will start. It includes Rohtas, Gaya, Aurangabad and Jamui. The government is taking the services of 'SBI Caps' to prepare its report.
• It may be noted that the Department of Mines and Geology has sought a detailed report from SBI Caps-Investment Bank and Project Consultant. After the report is received, the state government will start the process of allowing mining of glauconite and iron ore deposits worth about Rs 20,000 crore on lease basis in all districts.
• Earlier in the survey, about 25 sq. km in Rohtas district. Gluconite was found in the area. In this, 10 sq. km in Nawadih block of the district, eight sq. km in Tipa. And 7 sq. km in Shahpur block. area is included.
• Along with this, Gaya and about eight square kilometers in Danjana and surrounding areas of Madanpur block on the border of Aurangabad district. Nickel and chromium have been found in the area.
• It is notable that Gluconite (Potash) is widely used in medicine and chemical fertilizers. Nickel is used to coat iron and other metals to protect them from rusting. It is an element having ferromagnetism and magnets made from it are used in many industries.
• Apart from this, nickel is added to steel to make it 'stainless' (corrosion-proof), while chromium is used to make alloys. To make steel harder, it is used in tanning. It is also effective in controlling glucose in the human body. It is effective in green tinting of glass, chrome plating and other works. It is used in the oil industry as a catalyst, electrical engineering and as a corrosion inhibitor.