Baitadi: A second iron ore mine has been discovered in Baitadi.

According to Gagan Singh Dhami, chairman of Ward No. 1 of Sigas Rural Municipality, the mine was discovered at Loharpani near Sugarkhal in the ward.

The place where the mine was found is at an hour’s walk away from Khodpe of Patan Municipality and half an hour from Brindavan on the Jaya Prithvi Road.

Shyam Adhikari of Subham Mineral Private Company told The Rising Nepal that preliminary exploration had shown good signs. “We found high quality iron ore. We are conducting further studies but the remote terrain and the lack of electricity and roads have posed challenges,” he said.

Chairman Dhami hoped that the mine would help create employment for the local people.

“At present, people have to go to India in search of jobs. Bringing the mine into operation would help create jobs in the village itself,” he said.

There is another iron ore mine in the district at Purchaudi.

The locals had been using the iron mined from there to make utensils and tools. However, it closed down during the conflict years and has not been able to reopen.