Rains hamper survey by Mittal group in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Jul 21 (UNI) Steel major L N Mittal's officials could not complete their survey of mines in Jharkhand due to incessant rains.

The survey team was expected to visit the state again in September next.

The group was supposed to be on two consecutive-day mission and accordingly began survey of Ankua and Ghatkuri iron ore mines of West Singbhum yesterday.

General Manager for corporate affairs of the Mittal Group in the state Sanjiv Sengupta today told UNI here that survey could not be completed due to heavy showers in the area and the team returned yesterday.

Mr Sengupta said as work in mines would be done with heavy machines, therefore the company needed large mines.

He said drilling was not done in Ankua and Ghatkuri to ascertain the quality of the iron ore.

District Mining officer of West Singbhum Raghav Nandan Prasad said the trip of Mittal Group officials was successful and report in this regard would be submitted to the stste government.

The officials of the group would send their report to their London office.

The comapny was supposed to stablish a mega steel plant with 12 million tonnes capacity and the group signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jharkhand government last year.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda currently on tour of USA was expected to meet Mr Lakshmi Niwas Mittal during his halt at London enroute to India.

UNI AM-PRS SJC KLC1803