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MP delays opening diamond mining tenders

The last date of opening of international tenders for diamond mining in 11 districts of Madhya Pradesh has been extended from November 25 to December 17.

Those who have purchased the application forms include De Beers of South Africa and two multinationals, CRA and Ashton, of Australia through their Indian subsidiaries.

Sources in the Madhya Pradesh mining resources department said in Bhopal that proposals had been invited to form a joint venture company with the MP State Mining Corporation for diamond mining.

The National Mineral Development Corporation alone had purchased five application forms.

The proposals were advertised internationally, with the last date of purchasing the Rs 100,000 application forms being November 18 and that of opening of the tenders being November 25. However, the dates have now now been extended until December 8 and 17 respectively, to facilitate the companies to submit various clarifications.

A pre-bid conference will also be held on December 9 to remove any misconceptions the bidders might have about the proposal.

The sources said the conditions stipulated earlier remain unchanged and priority would be given to the bidder paying more than 10 per cent of profits to the state government, besides royalty.

Separate applications had been invited for each of the 11 district blocks.

The multinationals had purchased one form each, perhaps to study it thoroughly before deciding whether to apply. The state government will finalise the rules for the joint sector company by the first week of December.

The proposals received will be examined by the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India, the sources added.

UNI