MOIL Limited announced that an area of 814.71 Ha. was reserved by Maharashtra Government in favour of MOIL for prospecting of manganese ore in Nagpur and Bhandara districts. After exploration and requisite clearances, application for environment clearance (EC) was submitted in respect of 126.84 HA. area, which is adjacent to MOIL's Gumgaon mine. MOIL has received letter No. F.No. J-11015/74/2017-I-A.II(M) dated 18 June, 2021 from MoEF&CC communicating grant of EC of 1.02 lakh MTPA (including mineral rejects of 0.05 lakh MTPA). As the resources identified are available at a depth of more than 200 meters from the surface, underground mining will have to be resorted to. In view of this, MOIL is going ahead with purchase of land for the mine and getting other statutory clearances. In the meantime, steps for sinking of a new shaft shall be taken. This will be a new mine - 12th mine of the Company and the first new underground mine since inception.