Mines, UDH in talks to issue mining leases in six urban areas

Jaipur: The State Mines Department has identified huge reserves of major and minor minerals in six urban areas, including Jaipur. ACS Mines and Petroleum Subodh Agarwal, in coordination with the Urban Development and Housing Department, is making efforts to allow the issuance of mining leases in these blocks to prevent illegal mining and promote e-auction of mining leases.

Mineral deposits have been found in the urban areas of Jaipur, Bhilwara, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner. Agarwal, while reviewing the progress of inter-departmental issues, said that areas with cheja stone, sandstone, yellow limestone, granite, ball clay, silica sand, gravel, iron ore and masonry stone have been identified. This would generate an annual revenue of 25 to 30 crore. Another Rs 100-125 crore could be generated from 962.20 metric tonne sandstone in Jodhpur.