Union Minister of State for Mines Dinsha J. Patel on Thursday promised help for quick processing of applications submitted by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited for allotment of captive mines in various States.
The assurance was made in New Delhi when a RINL team led by Chairman-cum-Managing Director A.P. Choudhary called on the Minister. He was accompanied by RINL Director (commercial) T.K. Chand, former Director (commercial) and advisor H.K. Chhatwal.
During the meeting, he was briefed on how RINL, the corporate entity of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, was suffering for want of raw material security.
The team apprised Mr. Patel of the growth plan and performance of the RINL. The RINL had adopted one of?the best technology and operating at best techno-economic parameters on a par with international standards.
Profits
The RINL had been getting profits for the last six years continuously even after purchasing the iron ore and coal from outside agencies due to lack of captive mines, the team stated.
The additional requirement of iron ore during 6.3 mtpa and 7.3 mtpa stage was brought to the notice of the Minister.
The RINL is scouting for iron ore and coal in AP, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Governments in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are actively considering RINLs iron ore lease applications.? Mr. Choudhary requested the Minister to recommend the leases soon after the file reaches the Ministry of Mines from the respective State Governments.
Mr. Patel promised all help to RINL and informed that the applications would be considered favourably for allocation of mines, a RINL release stated.
Later Mr. Choudhary also called on Visahwpati Triwedi, Secretary, Mines and Alok Perti, Secretary, Coal and requested them for favourable consideration in allotting mines and coal blocks to RINL.
Responding to the query by Secretary (Coal) about the surrendered coal blocks of Mahal and Tinighat Jhirki, Mr. Choudhary informed that these blocks were not feasible to operate because of the prevailing faults, geological disturbances and due to bare minimum availability of reserves.
New blocks
Secretary (coal) promised to allot new blocks which are potential/goodfor operating and investing by RINL by January, 2012.
