The Panna mines are Asia's largest mechanised diamond mines, and were commissioned in 1968-69 with an initial capacity of 12,500 carats per annum.

'In this fiscal, NMDC aims to acquire 35,000 carats of diamonds from Panna. In the next two months, the goal is to mine 5,000 carats,' Singh said.

The mines, which had been closed since August 2005, were reopened after the Supreme Court's permission was taken. The mines fall in the Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary.

'On the direction of the Supreme Court, NMDC has deposited Rs.10.69 crore with the state government as net present value for reopening the diamond mines,' he said, and described it as a 'great achievement' by the United Progressive Alliance government in its first 100 days of administration.

'This will not only result in additional revenue for NMDC but will also provide direct employment to more than 250 people,' Singh said.