Mine rush in Mittal visit

Mine rush in Mittal visit

The Telegraph India

Mittal: Committed to the state?

Ranchi/Jamshedpur

19th July 2006

A senior official of SAIL dashed to Gua and Chiria mines today while a Mittal Steel team visited Ankua and Ghatkuri to explore the possibilities of iron ore reserve.

B.K. Malik, general manager (maintenance) of raw materials division, took stock of mining activities in Gua and Chiria and also discussed the condition of equipment.

Both the mines are under SAIL while the state government wants Chiria mine back to its front so that it could offer iron ore reserves to mega-sector steel investors, including Mittal Steel, with whom it had signed MoUs.

Although SAIL officials did not want to relate Malik's visit with that of the Mittal Steel's, sources said the PSU wants to make it clear that it would comply with the norms set by the Centre to strengthen its resources.

Meanwhile, the Mittal Steel team, on a two-day visit to iron ore mines to explore possibilities, went to Ankua, Kansiabith and Ghatkuri mines in and around Chiria block today.

Mines secretary Santosh Kumar Satpathi said Mittal Steel is looking various sites before zeroing on a particular mine. "Let them make up their mind and apply first," he said.

Mittal Steel Jharkhand general manager Sanjeev Sengupta, who along with a Ranchi-based consultant firm visited the mines, said the purpose of the trip was to survey the iron ore belt since a first hand experience of the area was necessary before setting up any industry.

Sengupta reiterated that Mittal Steel is committed to come to Jharkhand. "That is why we are spending so much time and energy looking for a suitable mine here," he said.

He added that the mines department director (geology) and other district mining officers of Chaibasa had accompanied them today to satisfy the steel major's need.

Meanwhile, Mittal Steel is understood to have placed a fresh demand of getting the geological report of iron ore mines. It is imperative for the state government, claimed Mittal Steel officials, to enable the company in identifying the mines of its choice. However, mines minister Madhu Koda said the company should apply for the lease at the earliest to get these details.