The southern Indian state of Karnataka has commenced the process of auctioning nine iron ore mining leases exclusively for bidding by sponge iron, pig iron and pellet manufacturers, a Karnataka government official said on Tuesday, June 27.
The official said that invitations for bids from companies in these sectors have been invited for the e-auction of the nine mining leases, though no consortium of companies will be permitted to participate in the auctions. The total area covered by the nine mining leases is estimated at 309 hectares, the official said.
The nine mining leases also include five leases which had been put up for auction earlier but had failed to attract any bids, the official added.