Forest department to review progress and survey leases

The Central Empowered Committee has informed the Supreme Court that the reclamation and rehabilitation work has been initiated in as many as five out of 16 in the ‘A’ category of mines in Karnataka. In its latest report submitted to the Supreme Court, it said that the forest department had agreed to provide all help and review the progress, besides the survey of the mining leases.

Bangalore After a three-year gap, the Karnataka government has initiated the process to recommend new iron ore mining leases, a move that could speed up the launch of large steel projects by ArcelorMittal and Tata Metaliks in the state.

“We have started the process by surveying land in Bellary and studying availability of iron ore deposits,” MN Vidyashankar, principal secretary, department of industries & commerce, Karnataka, told FE. The state government will have to forward lease recommendations for various parties to the Centre, which is the final ratifying authority.

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has approved 16 iron ore mining lessees in Karnataka to resume operations, but has not permitted them to produce more than a third of their earlier annual sanctioned capacity.

These mines together have been allowed to produce 8.24 million tonnes (mt) per annum, as against their original sanctioned capacity of 26.48 mt.Sesa Goa, with sanctioned capacity of six mtpa, has been allowed to mine only 2.29 mtpa, about 38 per cent. It has a lease area of 163.5 hectares in Chitradurga district.

New Delhi: The scale of the Karnataka mining scam seems to be getting bigger: the estimates of an expert panel suggest the alleged barons of illicit mining may have cheated the state of Rs 50,000 c

The Supreme Court on Thursday decided to consider the plea for re-opening of 16 iron ore mines in Karnataka, acknowledging the adverse impact on the steel industry due to ban on mining operations.

A three-judge forest bench led by Justice Aftab Alam fixed as August 17 the date for considering the application filed by Karnataka Iron and Steel Manufacturing Association seeking direction to allow opening of 16 mines listed as ‘A’ category of mines having least irregularities by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

Firms like JSW Steel could face closure if mining does not resume soon

Steel and pig iron companies that depend on iron ore from Karnataka are facing closure due to a severe shortage of the mineral. The state’s steel industry, whose 21-million-tonne (mt) output accounts for 25 per cent of the national production, is operating with just a 45-day supply of iron ore. “If mining does not resume in the state immediately, it would be very difficult for us to keep the plant running,” said Vinod Nowal, director and chief executive officer, JSW Steel.

The Union Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned two projects worth Rs 21.5 crore, under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, for Karnataka.

Both projects are aimed at empowering rural women and will be implemented through NGOs, with active involvement of the state government. The State Genetic Resources Ecology and Nutrition Foundation (Green Foundation) has been selected for implementation of the project in Chitradurga and Ramanagara districts. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 crore, is expected to benefit around 5,000 women.

Leases with SC panel-nod yet to get legal approvals from Indian Bureau of Mines operations unlikely to start before October

Steel mills in and around Karnataka that are dependent on iron ore from state mines might have to wait for some more time to get fresh supplies, as the resumption of mining is likely to be delayed. Though the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court (SC), has approved 12 firms for resuming operations, following acceptance of their reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) plans, actual mining might start only by October.

Rehabilitation, reclamation plan cleared

After receiving brickbats for long, the troubled mining industry has finally got some reprieve. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has given its nod to eight mining firms located in Bellary and Chitradurga districts to resume their operations. Speaking at a seminar on “Rebuilding Iron Ore Mining and Steel Making Capabilities”, H R Srinivasa, director of Mines and Geology, said the CEC had informed the State government that it had cleared the Rehabilitation and Reclamation plan of the eight ‘A’ category mines,

Bangalore Eight Karnataka iron ore mines will resume operations by the end of July, possibly adding around 5.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and easing some supply constraints.

“The reclamation & rehabilitation (R&R) plans of eight mines have been cleared and final approval will be given by the central empowered committee (CEC) today,” HR Srinivasa, director, department of mines & geology, Karnataka, said here on Wednesday.