HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has decided to re-assess the availability of iron ore in and around Bayyaram in Khammam district. The Geological Survey of India and the state department of mines and geology will jointly take up the survey.
A team of Steel Authority of India Limited officials have visited the district and studied the feasibility of establishing an integrated steel plant. They short-listed three locations _ Vulvanur in Palvoncha mandal, Kuranam in Kothagudem mandal and Bayyaram in Bayyaram mandal _ for establishment of a steel plant. Further, the SAIL team sought information on the availability of iron ore, water, power and transmission lines to prepare a feasibility report.
Later, the SAIL and the state government felt that a detailed survey on the resources for obtaining prior approval from the central government before grant of a mining lease for exploitation of iron ore deposits by SAIL.
The state government on Thursday notified iron ore-bearing areas initially covering an extent of 100 Sq. km in and around Bayyaram, Khammam and Warangal districts for taking up investigation for reassessment of iron ore deposits.
Orders to this effect were issued by K Pradeep Chandra, special chef secretary and commissioner for industrial promotion.
The government said on Thursday that it had accorded permission for undertaking a joint detailed investigation and exploration for reassessment of iron ore deposits in and around Bayyaram area, Khammam and Warangal districts for a period of five years in the first phase.
The survey is subject to the final outcome of court cases filed by by Rakshana Steels Pvt Ltd and other cases.