core sector communique

Mining Licences

Minister of Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Dinsha J. Patel informed Lok Sabh today in a written reply that Afghan government invited an open tender for multiple exploration concessions that comprise of Hajigak iron deposit. A consortium named AFISCO (Afghan Iron and Steel Consortium) consisting of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), NMDC Limited, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), Tata Steels, JSW Steels Limited and Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. has been awarded mineral concessions of three blocks out of the four blocks, in the year 2011. Besides this, Government of Afghanistan has called for four mineral tenders for ‘Badakhshan’, ‘Zarkashan’, ‘Baikhab’, and ‘Shaida’ gold prospects. M/s Canaccord Genuity, SRK Consulting and Mayer Brown are acting as transaction advisers for tenders for the above projects. A Consortium consisting of Public Sector Undertakings, viz. SAIL (lead partner), NALCO, HCL and MECL have submitted Expression of Interest. The EOI has been received by the Ministry of Mines of Afghanistan, well before the due date of 09.03.2012. The Minister further stated that most of the proposals for acquisition of assets abroad are in response to the need of these companies for long term raw material security and also as per their future strategy and plans.