SAIL has reported progress on its Chiria Mines project in Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. The detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the external consultant, Hatch Associates of Australia, has already been approved by the company. As of April 2014, the company is in the process of inviting bids to appoint a mine developer-cum operator (MDO) for the project. The mine will be developed in two phases and its first phase is likely to be operational in 3-4 years after the finalisation of MDO