Bhatti directs SCCL to speed up gold, copper exploration in Karnataka

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday directed officials of state-owned coal mining firm SCCL to expedite exploration activities at the Devadurga gold and copper block in Karnataka. He said he would visit the block on Thursday to assess progress, an official release said. Singareni CMD Buddhi Prakash Jyoti and other senior officials attended the review meeting.

Vikramarka said Singareni would seek full cooperation from the Karnataka government for permissions and infrastructure. The Times of India reports that he stated the project would lay a foundation for Singareni's expansion from coal into critical and strategic minerals. He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan and explore mining opportunities for copper, graphite, lithium and cobalt, PTI adds.

SCCL is jointly owned by the Telangana and Union governments on a 51:49 equity basis. Vikramarka also instructed Singareni to monitor coal and critical mineral auctions nationally and internationally and to increase coal production in line with rising electricity demand.