Five mineral blocks of 55 auctioned are operational: Minister

The government on Friday said of the 55 mines that were auctioned in the last three years, five mineral blocks have become operational and two to three more mines will start operation by next month-end. "In the last three years we have auctioned around 55 mines. Around five (mineral blocks) have been operational. Next fiscal another 15 mines are going to be operational," Mines Secretary Anil Gopishankar Mukim told reporters. He further noted that two to three more mines will start operation in the ongoing fiscal. The Centre had earlier said it was considering granting all approvals, including environmental clearance, to mineral blocks before putting them up for sale, a move that may give a push to the auctions. The idea is to fast-track auctioning and that issues related to green clearances and land rights are addressed upfront, the government had earlier said.