Mining lease clearance for Utkal-C Coal Block remains pending

The Ministry of Coal has asked the Government of Orissa to expedite the process of grant of mining lease and Stage-II forest clearance for Utkal C coal block.

The said coal block has been allocated to the company to cater to the fuel needs of its sponge iron plant.

It has also requested the government to speed up the land acquisition process, crucial for the development of the block.

The block, located in the Angul district of Orissa, was allocated to the company in May 1998 for meeting the feedstock requirements of the company's two envisaged power projects - one 30 MW plant, worth Rs 124 crore, and another 120 MW plant costing Rs 595.18 crore.

The block is estimated to hold around 183.2 million tonnes of proven geological reserves.