E-auction of key bulk minerals like iron ore, chrome ore and manganese is expected to begin in Odisha in 1-2 months with the chief minister Naveen Patnaik giving in-principle approval for the proce

The Odisha government which has decided to go for electronic sale of key minerals like iron ore, chrome ore and manganese is awaiting the directive of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to enforce e-auction on mine owners.

"Unless we get a directive from the CEC, we cannot make e-auction mandatory on all lessees. There is a possibility that a lessee may initially agree to participate in e-auction and back out later. We had discussions with the CEC and they have responded positively to our move for introducing e-auction," a top official source told Business Standard.

Embargo on grant of mining leases also lifted; steel mills see significant boost in ore output.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday lifted the omnibus ban on iron ore mines in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts of Karnataka and permitted 81 lease owners, who had committed minor vi

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today cancelled 49 leases in mines reporting maximum illegalities in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka, but allowed resumption of activity in mines

Category B mines allowed to resume mining subject to necessary clearances

The forest bench of the Supreme Court has accepted all the reports submitted periodically by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) regarding the mining in Karnataka. As per the CEC reports, Category B mines will be allowed to restart mining subject to necessary statutory clearances. Already, the apex court has approved 18 Category A mines, of which 7 mines have started mining.

The supreme court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) started inspecting the wood-based industries including plywood factories and neighbouring localities in Kuttipadam division in Vengola panchayat on Wednesday. The different stakeholders in the industry are considering the visit of the high power committee as a very “significant step”.

The committee is headed by P V Jayakrishnan, the chairman of the CEC and other members include Mahendhra Vyas and M K Muthoo. The committee is assisted by important government officials in the district including RDO, Moovatupuzha, District Medical Officer, Malayatoor DFO, Deputy Director, Panchayat and chief environmental engineer, regional office, Pollution Control Board, Ernakulam.

The state government will urge the Central Empowered Committee to exclude trees on private land from the working plan of the Forest Department in Kangra, Una and Hamirpur so that the locals can get