Dalmia Bharat has emerged as the preferred bidder for Kesla II limestone block in Raipur District. The Chhattisgarh government has auctioned for the same on May 2, 2017. With 215 million tonnes of reserves, the block has an estimated value of mineral resource of Rs 10,367 Crore.

At a reserve price of 5%, the block received a highest bid of 96.15% which translates into estimated cumulative revenue of Rs 11,894 crore to the State government over the Lease Period.

The State will gain Rs 9,968 crore over the lease period through the auctions alone. Income from royalty stands at Rs 1,720 crore, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) at Rs 172 crore and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) at Rs 34.4 crore.