GANDHINAGAR | Jun 10, 2015: The state government is working on a new mining policy for most minerals in the state. For the first time, new norms for mining on private land will be included in the policy along with those for mining on government land. Further, instead of auctioning them manually, every possible mining site will be notified in advance and put online for auction. The state government also plans to check mining theft using satellite technology.

Saurabh Patel, in-charge minister for industry and mines department, said that under the new policy, all the mineral sites (under control of the state) will be auctioned online. "We have started online auction of sand. Similar auctions for all other minerals will be started soon," said the minister.

He further said that the state government is making changes in the existing mining rules in light of new central legislation on the subject.

"New regulatory framework for mining on private land will be introduced along with rules for government land. Value addition after mining will be given priority. Mining sites will be identified and blocks will put online for auction," Patel said.

The state government has also initiated a new project — geochemical mapping of Gujarat — to identify sites with mineral resources in the state. This is being done in collaboration with Geological Survey of India (GSI) and will help in long term planning for managing state's mineral resources. It will also help in industrial and other zoning processes, said sources.

The state government has already completed geochemical mapping of Kutch where it surveyed 26,800 sq km area and took 6,000 samples.

Now it has started work in Jamnagar, Kheda, Valsad, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Bhavnagar districts. A total of 2,482 sq km of land in the districts just mentioned has been surveyed so far, the sources said.

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