Iron ore auction in Odisha put off

The government has deferred the auction of two iron ore mines having reserves of 93.87 million tonnes in Odisha, according to a Mines Ministry report. The government has not given any reason for deferring the auction of the mines. While the Chandiposhi iron ore block in Sundergarh, Odisha, has reserves of 47.07 million tonnes (MT), the Purheibahal block has reserves of 46.80 MT, the report said. The notice inviting tender for both the mines was released on February 23.