Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Saturday left for Russia to explore investment potential for mining sector and study the reasons for decline of Russian visitors to Goa. He is expected to return in time for the Independence Day function. Before leaving for Dabolim international airport, he gave the reporters a brief detail on the e-auction materials. “We have given call to purchase e-auctioned material to buyers, this will kick start the mining activity. We are making efforts to restart mining soon,” he said. In a press statement released on Saturday, the government stated that chief minister will not available for the general public till August 14 “in view of his official tour to Russia to explore investment potential for mining sector in the far-east regions of Russia.” Dr Sawant is a part of the five-Chief Minister delegation led by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.  As per official sources, the delegation will visit the Russian city of Vladivostok with an agenda to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various sectors.