BRIEF SUMMARY

Raikela iron ore mine over an area of 67.586 Ha was initially executed in favor of Smt. Geetarani Mohanty for a period of 20 years w.e.f. 02.07.1991. Subsequently, the lease was transferred in favour of M/s Geetarani Mohanty, a registered firm bearing Registration No 5/92 (Cuttack) on 13.01.1993 with prior approval of the State Govt. The lease was expired on 01.07.2011. Therefore, the lessee has filed the application on 20.05.2010 under Rule 24 (A) (6) of MCR 1960 for Renewal of the Mining Lease for a period of 20 years w.e.f. 02.07.2011. However, under Section 8A(3) of the M&M (D&R) Act, 1957 as amended by the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, on and from the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 all mining lease shall be granted for the period of fifty years. On the expiry of the lease period, the lease shall be put up for auction as per the procedure specified in this Act. Hence, under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 the validity of Raikela Iron ore mines of M/s Geetarani Mohanty shall be up to 01.07.2041. The mining lease area is approachable from Koira town covering a distance of 8 km by Bhadrasahi – NH–215. The area can also be approachable from town ship which is on NH – 215 at a distance of 2 km. Nearest Rail Head is at Barsuan (both Passenger and goods train) located adjacent to several working mines connected by road from Bhadrasahi-Koira-Rajamunda NH-215. District Hqrs is at Sundargarh – 110 km from lease area.

Topography

The ML area occurs part of the Tensa hill. The total ML area is situated slope of hill. The trend of the hill is NE-SW sloping down towards east and south east. The maximum elevation of the area is 840m a. MSL at NW part of the area whereas the lowest elevation is 630m a. MSL at eastern part.

Drainage pattern

As far as drainage pattern is concerned, dendritic pattern can be observed regionally in the lease area and its surrounding area. There is no perennial nala flowing within the lease area. Only some seasonal nala flowing due east along the valley. The Kurahi Nadi is flowing due North West in the western part of the lease area at a distance of 8km.

Environment clearance obtained

The Ministry of Environment and Forest has granted the Environmental Clearance for the production capacity of 0.864MTPA capacity vides the letter No-J-11015/380/2006- IA.II dated 02.07.2008.

Available Mineable Reserve and Life of the Mine

The development and production proposal in the mining plan has been projected for two years till the end of 2020-21. For getting the required production the development proposal has been made over the top quarry and Middle quarry. At the end of the 2021 the top RL and bottom RL of the Top quarry will be 843.449m & 732.599 m and Middle Quarry will be 749.642m & 643,591m respectively. Based on the mineable reserve, the life of the mines has been calculated.

 The total mineral reserve of iron ore is estimated to be 33999000 MT

 Proposed production during the plan period is 4980210 MT

Remaining reserve within the lease area will be 33999000MT – 4980210MT = 29018790 MT.

 Considering the production of iron ore @ 2990000 MT per annum, life of the mine will be 29018790/2990000 = 9.70 years say 10 years.  Therefore, the life of the mines is 12 years which includes 2 years of planned period and 10 years of conceptual period. However, the life of the mine may vary after the exploration of entire area.

Proposed Method of Mining

It has been planned to enhance the production of iron ore from 0.864 million ton to 2.99MTPA per annum. The mine will be developed by opencast mining method with mechanized means deploying machinery like wagon drill machine, rock breaker, hydraulic / diesel operated shovel, dumper/tipper, crushing and screening unit etc.