Mining of chromium, nickel in Bihar soon: Mining and geology minister Janak Ram

PATNA: Mining of chromium, nickel and potash is set to start in the state as the tendering process would soon be completed for the allotment of the work order, mining and geology minister Janak Ram said on Friday.
Ram told reporters that things have also been looking up for the mining of gold in Sono block of Jamui district. "The mining of chromium, nickel, potash and gold has been possible because the Union government led by PM Narendra Modi has made necessary changes in the mining laws and its rules to the advantage of the states concerned," he said.
The minister said the reserves of chromium, nickel and potash have been found in Aurangabad district. While all the three items are imported and puts pressure on foreign reserves, their mining in Bihar would ease the pressure. Chromium and nickel are used in the manufacture of aeroplanes and mobile phones while potash is used in chemical fertilizers.
With regard to the illegal sand mining, he didn't deny it, but said the officials concerned - the DMs, BDOs and COs as well as sub-inspectors - have been directed to respond quickly on receiving reports or feedback on such activities.
"They have also been asked to make surprise inspections, seize the implements and equipment used in illegal mining and also arrest the culprits," Ram said, adding that precisely this was done recently in the cases of illegal sand mining reported in Saran and Aurangabad districts.
He also said sand mining activities are prohibited from July to September, but the state has sufficient stock and, therefore, there is no scarcity of sand required for construction activities.
"If there is scarcity of sand in any part of the state, the DM concerned can be approached for making available the stock for the purchase and carrying out construction activities," Ram said.