The Karnataka Iron and Steel Manufacturers’ Association (KISMA) on Tuesday urged the State government to expedite the resumption of operations at all ‘A’ category mines, so that the steel industry gets adequate supply of iron ore.

Addressing reporters, KISMA president Vinod Nowal, who is also the CEO of JSW Steel, said the steel industry had been facing a severe shortage of iron ore in the State. Against the total annual requirement of about 35 million tonnes (mt), the industry has been getting 15 mt, he said.

PANJIM: The contentious cessation of mining operations in Goa will figure at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on December 27, wherein Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar would bat for an early decision on environment clearances (ECs) to mining leases, currently suspended by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Parrikar said that since the ECs issue is with Union government, I would take up with the matter with Dr Singh, and request him thrash out an urgent solution, rather than wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the information provided by Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on mining to the Supreme Court was "questionable."

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said he could not be faulted for asserting that allowing mining in the state was his "fundamental and constitutional right".

"It is me who is elected (by) people to decide on illegal mining. It is my fundamental and constitutional right to decide whether to allow mining or not. If I am wrong in what I am saying then I am ready to go to jail," Parrikar told a group of intellectuals here last night.

A Supreme Court appointed panel has advised the Odisha government to expedite renewal of mining leases and give priority to development of infrastructure in mining areas.

PANJIM: With the Supreme Court now seized of all issues concerning illegal mining in Goa, the State’s leading green NGO, Goa Foundation, which had been fighting a legal battle against illegal minin

State-owned miner NMDC Ltd is working out a method to enter into long-term supply contracts with buyers for iron ore produced and sold through e-auctions in Karnataka.

The company, in a recent submission to the Supreme Court, indicated it would enter into long-term contracts by providing basic price and fixing the prices through e-auction.

In fresh trouble for the mining industry in Goa, the Pollution Control Board has refused operating consent to all 107 mining leases in the State under the Air and Water Pollution Control Act.

Under fire from the Ministry of Mines for the inordinate delay in clearing applications for renewal of mining lease, the State Government on Monday reportedly told the Supreme Court-appointed Centr

The Directorate of Mines on Monday informed the Supreme Court appointed Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) that it has completed the process of lease renewal of 40 mines, which are working under deemed extension provision.

“The CEC queried about the status of mines operating under deemed extension provision. We informed them that we have sent recommendation letters for 40 mines out of 50 working under deemed extension basis. Rest of the cases will be expedited soon,” said Deepak Mohanty, after his meeting with CEC officials here on Monday.