In March 2021, Shubham Minerals Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Shubham Group, found an iron mine in Ballekana, an area in Ward No. 1 of Sigas Rural Municipality of Baitadi district.

The mine was searched and found after receiving permission from the Department of Mines and Geology.

However, two years have passed since the discovery of the mine but a plant has not been established yet.

"We need some basic infrastructures – road, electricity and water – to start the construction of a mining plant in Ballekana," said Giri Raj Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shubham Group.

Adhikari informed that the basic infrastructures would be prepared easily as the electricity from the 150-MW Chameliya Hydropower Project was connected to the national transmission line only 11 kilometres away from the mine.

Similarly, the mine is only four kilometres south of the Jaya Prithvi Highway and the Dhanarigad River flows beneath the mine.

Stakeholders stressed that the basic infrastructures for the plant setup can be completed within four months if three tiers of the government showed some activeness.

"While analysing a stone after excavation, 38 per cent magnetite was found. Magnetite is a mineral and one of the main iron ores. Magnetite from the iron ore can be used by steel and cement industries," said CEO Adhikari.

According to Adhikari, 80 per cent of the mine study work has been completed.

"We were happy when we heard that iron ore was found in our village. However, as the plant has not been constructed yet, we are left sad," said Jayaram Bishwakarma, a local.

Shubham Group also informed that they had sent a letter to the forest authorities at the provincial and federal level for facilitation as the mine was inside the community forest area. However, they have not received any reply yet.

"If the iron ore mine came into operation, it would create job opportunities for many in the nearby areas," said Ram Chandra Aire, ward chairman of Ward No. 1 of Sigas Rural Municipality.

Company in Darchula for glass

As the iron ore project is nowhere to start without the basic infrastructure, Shubham Minerals Pvt. Ltd. officials have left the area and headed to Darchula.

"The employees of the company said that they were heading to Darchula in search of glass," said Bishwakarma, the local.

The officials of the company said that they would return to Baitadi after mid-August.

"Glass prospecting has started in Guljar, a village in Ward No. 1 of Marma Rural Municipality of Darchula. We have completed some lab tests and are conducting further study there," said CEO Adhikari.