Ranchi, Sept. 4: The state government today invited bids for mines of gold and associated minerals in Parasi area of Tamar block, around 55km from capital Ranchi.
Officials said MSTC (an e-commerce company), on behalf of the state industries, mines and geology department, had set the ball rolling for e-auction of Parasi mines spread over 69.240 hectares.
The bids have been invited in digital format. The last date for sale of tender papers on the MSTC website is September 28 while the last date for submission of technical bid is November 1. The tenders will be opened on November 2.
Director (mines) S.I. Minj said those interested and eligible for bidding could participate in the process by purchasing tender document online for Rs 4,94,500. "After purchasing the tender document, a bidder can register himself on the MSTC website. On successful registration, he will get an login ID and password necessary for participating in the e-auction," Minj told The Telegraph.
Sources said around 9.894 million tonnes of gold ore and huge reserves of other minerals like silver, lead, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, tin and gallium were lying under the ground in Parasi.
Last month, the government invited bids for e-auction of gold mines in Pahardia of West Singhbhum. Spread over 273 hectares, Pahardia boasts an estimated deposit of 1.162 million tonnes.
For Pahardia, the last date for submitting technical bids is October 4 and the tender will be opened on October 5.
In last December, the state government had tried to lease out gold mines at Pahardia, drawing initial response from mining giant Vedanta, Rungta etc. But even after evincing interest, the firms did not participate in the e-auctioning, forcing the government to put the process on hold.
The officials at the mines directorate said they were hopeful of a positive outcome this time. "With the Raghubar Das government trying to attract investments in various sectors, including mineral-based industries, e-auctioning the gold mines would be a big achievement," said an official.
So far, the government has been able to e-auction two limestone blocks in Ramgarh to a cement company.
