During the year 2007-08 (up to December 2007), 10 Nos. of Mining Leases
and 4 Nos. of Prospecting Licences for major minerals covering
588.085hects. and 420.791hects. respectively have been granted. Two
Reconnaissance Permits for diamond, precious stones, lead, zinc, silver,
copper, nickel and associated minerals covering 3533.6 sq.kms. have been
executed during the said period. Besides, 2 Nos. of Mining Lease and 15
Nos. of Prospecting Licences for decorative stones over an area of 8.488
hects. and 101.587 hects. respectively have also been granted by the
State Government. Emphasis has been given on grant of mining leases for
mineral based industries for value addition, so as to generate revenue
and employment.
The mineral sector earned revenue to the tune of Rs.828.23 crore
during the current year (up to January 2008) which exceeded the
collection figure of Rs.725.66 crore during the corresponding period of
2006-07 by Rs. 102.57crore.
Effective enforcement is being carried out to curb illegal
mining and trading of ores/minerals and to prevent leakage of revenue.
During the current financial year (up to November, 2007) 481
cases of illegal extraction, storage and transportation of coal, iron
ore, manganese ore, chromite, fireclay and quartz totaling to 31,302.960
MT, valued at Rs. 288.94 Lakh have been booked. These cases involved
seizure of 243 number of vehicles and realization of Rs.214.28 Lakh by
way of compounding fee, penalty and cost of minerals.
During the period from April, 2007 to December, 2007 chemical
analysis of 27,358 mineral samples consisting of 27,917 constituents was
undertaken by the Analytical Laboratories of the Directorate of Mines.
An amount of Rs.25.01 Lakh was collected on account of analysis charges
of commercial samples.
