Bauxite-rich East Coast region hasn’t seen a single mine open in 30 years. The East Coast region, home to 74% of the total bauxite reserves, continues to be one of the most-neglected regions in the country, as not a single bauxite mine has been opened in the past three decades.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has voiced his opposition to some provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Bill-2011, stating that the bill if enacted in the current form would be a departure from federal structure of the constitution.

Pointing out that regulation of mines and mineral development is basically a state subject, Patnaik said that the MMDR Bill attempts to transfer certain powers and functions being exercised by states to the Centre.

Leases to be cancelled if firms fail to adhere to revised norms

PANJIM: The high level mining monitoring committee appointed by the State will start its visit to all 90-odd mines, ahead of the monsoons to ensure that the mining sites are not disaster prone. The mining leases will be cancelled if companies fail to adhere to the revised safety norms, which make it mandatory for mining firms to get the surface rights of the area around their mines, which is likely to be affected with mining activity.

PANJIM: The minor mineral extractors in the state will now have to seek permission from union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) before applying for the licence with the state Mines and Geology department, according to an order issued the Mines department on Thursday following Supreme Court directives.

The directives stated that the leases of minor mineral including their renewal for an area of less than five hectares be granted by the States/Union Territories only after getting environmental clearance from the MoEF. The order was passed on February 27, in a petition filed by one Deepak Kumar and other v/s state of Haryana.

PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board on Tuesday decided to re-inspect the mining project of Pandurang Timblo Industries in Shigao after its mines manager made a statement on Tuesday before the former informing that the company had stopped mining operations recently.

GSPCB had issued a show-cause notice to the company after villagers had complained mining operation was polluting a nullah which leads to the Dudhsagar waterfalls.

New Delhi: Miners who ravaged the Aravalis in Faridabad distict till May 2009 want to resume small-scale mining in the garb of “rehabilitation” of deep pits. In a submission to the government, their consultants have proposed to create “benches” around the pits to
facilitate afforestation – and sell the mining material generated in the process.

The Centre and Orissa government find themselves on a war footing as the Centre holds the state responsible for stepping on its toes by determining royalty rates of iron ore. Acknowledging complaints from steel producers that the state is executing a royalty regime which is in contravention to the Mineral Concession Rules (MCR), the mines ministry has demanded an immediate clarification from the state and directed it to expressly abolish the system.

SC nod can lead to production of 6-7 mt from 49 category A, B mines

The shortage of iron ore in Karnataka is likely to ease by July, as regular mining is expected to resume in a couple of months from now. The Supreme Court-appointed authorities are preparing reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) plans, stoking hopes of an end to the stalemate. Once the apex court approves the plans, mining can resume in 49 leases of 50-hectares and above falling under the A and B category mines in the districts of Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur.

The CBI, investigating illegal mining by the Associated Mining Company (AMC), owned by former minister G Janardhana Reddy, began its 3-D laser survey of the mining areas, on Thursday.

The CBI officials, who began their work on April 14, completed the total station survey by Thursday morning and began the 3-D laser survey in the afternoon.