JAIPUR | Sept 07, 2016: In a complete disregard for the rare minerals, Rajasthan government has leased mining blocks that contains copper, silver and tin for extracting masonry stones and construction materials. Despite reminders from the central government agencies, mines department has taken no action resulting into a loss of revenues and wastage of national resources.

During meeting of state geological programming board (SGPB) on September 1, officials from mines department were apprised of rich minerals at Toda Ramlyas and Dokam Baniwala in Sikar district. "Mines department officials were once again explained that geological survey of India (GSI) is facing difficulty to carry out exploration in the area as mining leases have been issued by the department," said an official who was privy to the developments.

Adding that such GSI has been raising these issues for past three years yet no action has been taken so far. "There are deposits of copper along with average silver deposits of 10 parts per million (10 gram silver in one tonne) spread over a bed of 15 km," said an official. Copper is an important ore which is not abundant in India. Silver is even rarer and should be harnessed optimally. Instead the mining is rampantly going on for lesser valued construction materials and stones. By refusing to give licenses to the public sector companies, the Rajasthan government overlooked the true value of natural resources.

According to the officials there are provisions in the mining leases rules that if block founds to be holding major mineral, leases can be cancelled for the minor minerals. However, several reports have been handed over to the state indicating presence of rare minerals, yet government has not acted on even a single lease.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)

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