Raipur, 27 June (H.S.):

In a significant step towards unlocking Chhattisgarh's mineral potential, the Board of Directors of NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL), at its meeting held in New Delhi, approved the next phase of the Baloda-Belmundi Diamond Block project in Mahasamund district by granting approval for large-diameter drilling.

The decision is considered the most crucial stage in scientifically assessing the actual diamond reserves in the area and paving the way for future commercial diamond mining.

During the meeting, the Board reviewed the project's progress in detail and directed that all technical activities be completed within the validity period of the Prospecting Licence (PL). The large-diameter drilling programme will enable an accurate assessment of diamond reserves contained within the kimberlite pipe. Based on the findings, a detailed feasibility report will be prepared, which will form the basis for the final decision on developing a commercial diamond mine.

The meeting was attended by Amitabh Mukherjee, Ashish Chatterjee, Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Chairman Saurabh Singh, Secretary of the Mineral Resources Department P. Dayanand, Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Managing Director Rajat Bansal, Upendra Kumar, and Vinay Kumar.

NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL) is a joint venture between NMDC Limited, a Government of India enterprise, which holds a 51 per cent stake, and the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC), which holds the remaining 49 per cent. While the company has primarily focused on iron ore projects, the scientific confirmation of natural diamonds at Baloda-Belmundi has accelerated its expansion into multi-mineral development.

NCL identified the kimberlite pipe through stream sediment sampling, geophysical surveys, and targeted drilling. Subsequently, nearly 200 tonnes of bulk samples were processed at NMDC's Panna Diamond Processing Plant, where five natural diamonds weighing a total of 1.22 carats were recovered. This has scientifically confirmed the presence of diamond-bearing geological formations in the region.

Experience from leading diamond-producing countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Canada, and Australia indicates that such encouraging results during the initial exploration stage often point to the possibility of substantial commercial reserves in the future. Consequently, the Baloda-Belmundi project is being regarded as a strategically important mineral development project not only for Chhattisgarh but also for India.

The Board also reviewed the progress of other major iron ore projects in the state. At Bailadila Deposit-4, the production target for the current financial year has been fixed at one million tonnes, with plans to increase capacity in phases to seven million tonnes annually. Work is also progressing on the development of Bailadila Deposit-13, which is planned to have an annual production capacity of 10 million tonnes.

The meeting reiterated that environmental conservation, scientific mining practices, water conservation, waste management, and the socio-economic development of local communities would remain the highest priorities across all projects.

Saurabh Singh, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation, said that the prudent utilisation of mineral resources and balanced industrial development are essential for the country's economic progress. He added that the Baloda-Belmundi diamond project has the potential to establish Chhattisgarh among India's leading diamond-producing states and could prove to be a historic milestone for the state's mining sector.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar