MECL'S EXPLORATION IN 2002-03
During the financial
year 2002-03, Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd. (MECL), a public
sector unit of the Mines Ministry took up coal exploration in
the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
and Assam. Exploration for lignite in the states of Tamil Nadu
& Rajastha are presently in progress on behalf of the Ministry
of Coal. It also had Coal Bed Methan (CBM) exploration in the
state of Rajasthan on behalf of Department of Petroleum, Government
of Rajasthan.
Copper exploration
in the states of Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh is in progress
on behalf of Ministry of Mines. Besides, exploration for gold
in the state of Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka, copper exploration
in the states of Rajasthan, Sikkim & Madhya Pradesh and bauxite
exploration in the state of Chhatisgarh have been completed during
the year. The company started exploration for iron ore in Maharashtra,
manganese ore & bauxite in Orissa and lignite in Tamil Nadu
during the year on contract basis for various clients.
MECL has proposed
diversification of its activities during Xth Five Year Plan (2002-07).
In addition to the core activities of exploration of various minerals
in traditional sectors it has decided to diversify its activities
in the areas of coal sampling and analysis, ballast stone mining
for supply to railways and deep drilling on behalf of ONGC and
other organizations.
This information
was given by the Minister for Mines, Shri Ramesh Bais
in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
