Several corporate houses have their eyes on the manganese reserve recently found at Patamda block of East Singhbhum in India's Jharkhand state.
Officials in the district mining department revealed that they had received as many as 90 applications from across the country. “The state had discovered the mine last month and invited applications from interested parties. So far, 90 are keen on taking up mining lease,” an official said, adding that the manganese reserve in Patamda was the first in the entire district.
District mining officer (DMO) Ratnesh Sinha confirmed the applications. “The response to the lease offer for mining manganese has been overwhelming. The state only has to decide who will mine the 114-acre reserve in the Paharpur area of Patamda,” he said.
Officials said there would be no acre hitches because a major portion of the reserve is located on government land. “Moreover, it does not involve forestland and the lease-holder will not have to seek clearance from the Union forest and environment ministry. Companies vying for the lease are aware that they will not face any problem in the new mining zone,” an official said. And that manganese here is of good quality will be a bonus. An initial survey conducted by the mining department showed that the ore is 30-32 per cent pure.
The recent growth in the steel industry in the country has increased the demand for manganese ore. “It is added in the manufacturing process for producing various grades of steel. Each grade requires a particular quantity of manganese. Steel becomes harder when combined with manganese,” the official said. Besides, manganese ore has various uses in other industries.
In Jharkhand, manganese mines are found mainly in neighbouring West Singhbhum district while East Singhbhum is better known for gold, iron ore, copper, uranium and, recently, pyroxenite.
Source: The Telegraph, Calcutta
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