JAMMU: The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, chaired the 174th meeting of the Board of Directors of JK Minerals.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Commissioner/Secretary, Mining Department, Director, Geology and Mining, Managing Director JKML, Director General Planning & Monitoring Department, and Financial Advisor / CAO JKML.
It was informed that despite the COVID-19 crisis which had far-reaching economic and social repercussions, J&K Minerals has shown a satisfactory performance and has continued to deliver much-needed raw material to the mineral-based industries in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was further informed that the Corporation, for the first time, ventured into minor mineral exploitation & operationalized four minor mineral blocks in the Jammu region which ensured a regular supply of construction material like sand, boulders, and rbm to various prestigious projects including the construction of AIIMS, IIM, ring road in twin capital cities, and works on the National Highway 44, among others.
Moreover, the preliminary survey of Paddar Sapphire Mine has been completed by the Geological Survey of India and further options are being explored for the scientific exploration of the area. The Chief Secretary directed the constitution of a committee to evaluate the issue regarding the quantity of reserves and a suitable mechanism for its sustainable extraction, besides recommending the future course of action in this regard.
Regarding the Kalakote mines, the Mining Department was asked to conduct a safety audit through the Director-General, Mines Safety, Govern ment of India within 3 months, and rationalize the excess labour from these mines to other minor minerals mines.
Dr. Mehta also reviewed the functioning of Parlanka Gypsum mines in Ramban district and directed allotment of additional blocks to JK Minerals for boosting gypsum extraction from the mines which currently stands at 40,000 MT per month.
The Chief Secretary while appreciating the efforts of the management for making the corporation self-reliant asked the company to explore possibilities of further mineral extraction in Jammu & Kashmir. “This will help to develop the mineral-based Industries in the UT of J&K and create more employment in the region,” he added.
