Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) has bid for four coal blocks in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. These coal blocks are spread over 150 sq. km of area with proven reserves of 2,000 million tonne are as follows: 

• Morga-I and II block is in Chhattisgarh (600 million tonne), 
• Dongrital-I and II, Mara-II Mahan (955 million tonne) and Chhattarsal (100 million tonne) are in MP.

GMDC has received environmental clearance for 11 mining leases and forest clearance, including Tadkeshwar and Rajpardi lignite mines. Production has commenced in these mines from 20 November 2005 and 20 April 2006 respectively. The company has also set up a Rs.55 crore plant to expand its calcined bauxite up to 1.25 million tonne and convert the same into brown fused alumina near its Ghadsisa plant. 

The company also proposes to start mining of limestone for commercial purpose in Kachchh, having reserves of over 1,500 million tonne. At present, GMDC mines limestone for captive use as additives to reduce sulphur and nitrogen contents for its power plant at Akrimota in Kachchh district.

GMDC's 250 MW lignite-based power plant is expected to become fully operational by June 2006 and has plans to expand its capacity by another 250 MW plant at a cost of Rs.1,200-crore by 2007-08.

Also see:

GMDC commissions Tadkeshwar lignite mines (03-Feb-06)