The Chhattisgarh government has issued a notice inviting tender (NIT) for the allotment of three precious mineral blocks located in Kanker and Mahasamund districts through e-auction. These comprise a diamond mine and two gold mines.

The winning bidder would be required to carry out detailed prospecting work in the area. A field of kimberlite rocks have been identified in the vicinity of Chandkhuri, Kandadongri and Jamnidih villages in Mahasamund district

. The Basna-2 diamond block in Mahasamund is spread over a 2,500-hectare area, and the Chanat-Jogidadar gold and associated minerals block in Mahasamund district and Tumrisur-Garda 2 gold block in Kanker district are spread across 176 and 240 hectares respectively. Basna’s diamond mine will be the second, after the 4,600 sq. km area of Payalikhand in Gariaband district.

Once the mineral deposits are certified, the mining operations will commence after obtaining the lease.

The last date for bid submission is 21 August, 2023.