The Department of Mines and Geology(DoMG) has authorized the exploration of 80 mines situated in various regions of Nepal. According to Narayan Baskota, the DoMG's information officer, several companies have been granted mining prospecting certificates for the period spanning mid-July 2023 to mid-June 2024 of the current fiscal year.

Additionally, permits have been issued for the excavation of eight mines. Baskota noted that during the same fiscal year, the department monitored 107 mines nationwide, revoking excavation and exploration permits for 114 locations.

Furthermore, the DoMG has reported ongoing drilling operations in collaboration with the Chinese government to explore potential petroleum reservoir areas in Dailekh. To date, drilling activities have reached a depth of 951 meters.

During this period, the DoMG has also recorded more than 57 earthquakes above Richter scale 4 through seismic monitoring across various parts of the country. Baskota added that earthquake and disaster awareness programs have been conducted in Barpak, Gorkha, along with geological and environmental studies in the Jitpur, Simara area of Province 2.

Moreover, in the initial phase, the DoMG has successfully promoted limestone mines located in Surkhet, generating revenue amounting to Rs 587.4 million.