Maki South Mining Private Limited has acquired Katghora lithium mine for mining process by bidding in the auction process. It is expected that the company will start mining work here soon.
This block has been given to the company at an auction premium of 76.05 percent. The company was successful in buying this lithium block in the fourth round of auction. After the auction process, the Union Ministry of Mines has said that 'Maki South Mining has emerged as the preferred bidder for Katghora lithium and rare earth element (REE) block in Chhattisgarh. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said that 21 blocks were kept for sale in the fourth round of auction of important minerals. Out of these blocks, 11 are new blocks in states including Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka. On this occasion, Union Coal and Mines Minister Reddy said that the benefits of the reforms done in the mining and mineral sector in 2015 have started showing. Mines Secretary VL Kanta Rao said that the Ministry of Mines will ensure that production from critical minerals is started very soon.
The Geological Survey of India has confirmed the presence of lithium in an area of 250 hectares around Gunchapur village in Katghora. The Union Ministry of Mines started the auction process on 29 November 2023. Under commercial mining, the central government hands over the mines to a private company through auction.
It was also revealed that an Argentine company had participated in the bid. Leaving everyone behind in the auction, Mackie South Mining Private Limited of India has acquired the lithium block of Katghora. The headquarter of this company is in West Bengal.
A composite license has been given for the lithium REE block of Katghora. It includes the right to both testing and mining. Along with Katghora, the auction of the lithium block located in Reasi, Kashmir was also started. In the initial phase, suitable bidders did not come forward for this, due to which its online auction process had to be stopped earlier. The country's first lithium mine will be developed in Katghora. The lithium block of Katghora will be the first mining project in the country for which a composite license has been given.
