The Odisha government may impose a cap on iron ore production in the state, dealing a blow to the industry reeling under closures, loss of production and a nation-wide crackdown on illegal profitee

A conservator of forests and a former official of the mining department, who are accused of being key players in the illegal iron ore mining racket perpetrated by former minister G Janardhan Reddy

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested former deputy conservator of forests (Bellary) S Muthaiah and former deputy director of mines and geology department (Hospet, Bellary) S P Raju in connection with an illegal mining case involving the Associated Mining Company (AMC).

The AMC is owned by former tourism minister Gali Janardhana Reddy and his wife Aruna.Muthaiah and Raju have been named accused number seven (A-7) and accused number 22 (A-22) in the case.

The illegal mining scam has not deterred mining companies from making a beeline for Karnataka. Over 19,000 applications seeking permission to excavate ore in the State are pending with the government.

Data compiled by the Union Ministry of Mines shows that of the 42,535 pending applications seeking permission for mining in various mineral-rich states in the country, (as on April 19), more than 45 per cent (19,351) of them are pending in Karnataka alone — the highest in the country.

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.

In a relief for the mining industry, the Supreme Court today proposed resumption of operations in 45 iron ore mining leases in Karnataka, provided they abide by the Reclamation and Rehabilitation (

Bangalore Mining in Karnataka is back on its feet. The Supreme Court has allowed mining to resume in iron ore mines of more than 50 hectares after rehabilitation and reclamation plans (R&R) for these leases are approved by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

The court accepted the recommendatations of the CEC which refer to restarting mining in two groupings of mines referred to as A and B groups, a classification that the panel had made based on a survey of the extent of irregularities. The two groups together constitute some 100 mines.

Sets stiff terms allows auction of iron ore already lying in stockyards

The Supreme Court on Friday partially lifted the ban on mining in three districts of Karnataka. It was lifted for a certain category of mines, with strict conditions. The court also allowed the auction of iron ore already lying in stockyards, under the supervision of a monitoring committee.
The court directed the Union ministry of environment and forests to “revisit” clearances given in the light of the reclamation and resettlement (R&R) programme.

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.

It will help get an idea of the extent of illegal mining

The 3-D laser survey of the mines belonging to the Associated Mining Company (AMC) - owned by former minister Janardhana Reddy - at the Ramgad forest area of Sandur taluk in Bellary district could not be undertaken on Sunday and had to be postponed to Monday, due to the scorching sun which has left the personnel fatigued.