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YEAR AND REVIEW – 2013 MINES
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Geological
Survey of India (GSI)
GSI
added another feather in its cap by acquiring “Research Vessel Samudra
Ratnakar”- an all weather ocean going ship designed to meet the fast-growing challenges
of the modern geo-scientific oceanographic research. This research vessel, a
state-of-the-art acquisition of GSI, was dedicated to the nation at Kandla
Port, Gujarat on 12th October, 2013 by Shri Dinsha Patel, Minister
of Mines. This vessel, equipped with 27 major high-end instruments needed for
geological, geophysical and geochemical explorations in the offshore areas with
modern on-board laboratories is designed to carry out sea-bed mapping, mineral
exploration and research activities in the deep waters.
The 3rd
meeting of the Geoscience Advisory Council, the highest policy-planning forum
to advise the Ministry of Mines and the Geological Survey of India in the
matters of Earth Sciences was held under the Chairmanship of Shri Dinsha Patel,
Minister of Mines at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi on 27 February 2013.
Referring to the importance of mineral wealth vis-à-vis natural resources, the
Minister requested the scientific community to suggest new areas and techniques
for locating new and big mineral deposits. He also wished the experts to guide
in locating new aquifers of clean water, free of toxic salts, for fulfilling
the ever rising need of water for drinking and irrigation purposes for the
prosperity of common citizens.
During FS 2013-14
GSI has significantly augmented resource base of gold, basemetal, iron ore,
manganese, phosphorite, limestone, gypsum, molybdenum and bauxite in the states
of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,
Meghalaya and Haryana.
As a follow-up
to the decision taken by Technical Advisory Committee for Landslide Mitigation
and Management, GSI – the Nodal Agency for Landslide Studies in India has
conducted two Regional Workshops on Landslide Disaster management in June and November
2013 at Shimla and Shillong, respectively.
Assessing
and Exploiting the Mineral Wealth in the Northeastern Region
In the strive
for augmenting mineral resources of North Eastern Region, the 8th Meeting to
review the Progress of Ongoing Mineral Development Projects (OMDP) in the
North-Eastern Region was held on 21st November 2013 at Shillong,
Meghalaya under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Mines), which was attended by
representatives from Ministry of Mines, North-Eastern Council (NEC), Geological
Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Mineral Exploration
Corporation Limited (MECL) and Directorate of Geology and Mining of the
North-Eastern States. Some important decisions taken in the meeting include,
providing portable XRF units to State DGMs by GSI, notifying GSI’s training
programmes well in advance so that the state representatives can attend the
courses without hindrance to their own programmes, etc.
Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)
Mineral
Production/ Trade
The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic minerals) during
2013-14 has been estimated at Rs. 227176 crores. During
2013-14, estimated value for fuel minerals account for Rs. 155646 crores or
68.51% of mineral production. The value of production of metallic
minerals stood at Rs. 37213 crores or 16.39% of
the total value of production and non-metallic minerals including minor
minerals contributed to Rs. 34317 crores or 15.10% of the total value. The
provisional value of minerals and ores exported during the year 2012-13
(provisional) was ` Rs. 159747 crores whereas the value of import was Rs.
1124137 crores.
Achievements
of IBM in 2013-14 (up to November, 2013)
For promotion of conservation and scientific development of mineral resources and
ensuring protection of mines environment in mining areas, IBM carried out 1,
508 inspections of mines for enforcement of provisions of MCDR 1988 and
examination of MP/ MS, approved 111 Mining Plans and 449 Schemes of Mining. For
upgradation and utilization of low grade and sub grade ores and minerals, IBM
carried out 36 ore dressing investigations, 25, 723 chemical analyses, 1, 613
mineralogical studies. As a part of consultancy services on charge and
promotional basis to mining industry on mining, geological and environmental
aspects, IBM completed 3 Mining Research Assignments & 4 Technical
Consultancy Assignments are in progress and conducted 12 training courses for
IBM and Industry personnel.
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL)
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) has earned Profit After
Tax (PAT) of Rs. 355.64 crore for the financial year 2012-13 which is highest
ever since inception. The company has paid Rs. 83.27
crore as dividend to the Government of India for the year 2012-13. Ore production
in 2012-13 at 3.66 million tonnes is highest in last 13 years.
The CCEA in its meeting held on 14.09.2012 has inter alia approved the
disinvestment of 9.59% paid up equity (8,87,28,406
shares) of HCL out of Government of India holdings of 99.59%. The issue of HCL
was opened on 23.11.2012 and 5,16,04,148 equity shares
of the company (approximately 5.58% of the paid up equity capital) were sold
through Stack Exchange mechanism. Subsequently, in the second tranche, the
issue of sale of shares of HCL opened on 03.07.2013 and 3,71,19,152
equity shares of the company were sold through the Stock Exchange Mechanism,
aggregating approximately 4.01% of the paid up equity share capital of the
company and an amount of ` 259.55 crore approximately has been transferred to
the account of Government of India Exchequer. At present the Government of
India is holding 90% of the total paid up equity capital in HCL.
The Company has rolled out mine expansion plan to increase production to 12.4
million tonnes by financial year 2017-18. The plan envisages of Malanjkhand,
Khetri, Kolihan and Surda Mines; re-opening of Rakha and Kendadih Mines; &
development of new mines namely Banwas and Chapri-Sidheswar.
Mineral Exploration
Corporation Ltd (MECL)
MECL is a premier Public Sector Enterprise
responsible for exploration of all major minerals like coal, lignite, iron-ore,
copper, zinc, limestone etc., developmental mining in various remote parts of
the country. Generally, exploration/developmental mining projects of MECL are
located in remote areas.
Highlights
of Achievements during 2013 (Upto November, 2013)
MECL has submitted 30 numbers of Geological reports and added 2522.15 million
tonnes of mineral reserves in National Mineral Inventory.
MECL has paid Rs. 4.13 Crore as dividend to the Govt. of India for the
year 2012-13. This is happening after a gap of 33 years.
MECL has been conferred with ‘MINI RATNA (Category-II)’ status on 25th October,
2013.
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