PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Sept 25: Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato has urged Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to expedite steps for reopening closed mines and setting up fresh projects in the uranium belt of Jadugora.
At a high-level meeting with UCIL CMD K. Anand Rao and senior company officials at Jadugora headquarters, the MP pressed for a roadmap to revive the Dhobni, Kisanigadia and Pathergada copper mines, once operated by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) but lying defunct for over two decades.
Focus on Uranium Recovery and Copper Tailings
Mahato cited findings by the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD), Hyderabad, which indicated uranium deposits in those mines. UCIL informed him that detailed surveys will be taken up soon. If uranium grades cross the benchmark of 150 PPM, UCIL would assume operations; otherwise, HCL will be allowed to restart copper extraction after obtaining the necessary clearances.
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The MP also revived his long-standing demand to restart UCIL’s recovery plant, once used to extract uranium residues from copper ore before being dismantled in 2000.
With the Indian Copper Complex at Mosabani resuming operations, Mahato flagged that uranium traces in copper tailings are currently going untapped — terming it a “loss to the nation.”
UCIL assured him that the recovery plant, already cleared in a public hearing, will be re-established at the earliest.
Infrastructure and Local Employment
On infrastructure, Mahato pointed to the poor state of roads in Jadugora, which he said hampered connectivity for surrounding villages.
He reminded officials that Rs 4.5 crore had been sanctioned earlier from CSR funds for road work, but the project stalled midway.
UCIL promised to revive construction soon.
Mahato further sought greater transparency in recruitment and insisted that employment opportunities must first reach displaced families and local residents.
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CSR and Future Projects
Discussions also touched on CSR initiatives such as safe drinking water supply through deep bore wells and the construction of classrooms at Hadiyan Jian School in Ghurabandha — a tribal-dominated, left-wing extremism-affected area.
In a forward-looking move, UCIL revealed that exploration for fresh uranium deposits in Kanialuka village of Ghurabandha block will be fast-tracked.
If viable, new mines there could create jobs and trigger economic development in the mineral-rich region.
