PANJIM: Eighty percent of mining lease holders have completed the digital global positioning survey (DGPS) of the lease boundaries, as the deadline to conduct of the survey ended June 15.

SC had allowed these mines to resume operations subject to statutory conditions in order dated April 18

In what could be considered as fresh trouble brewing for the iron and steel sector in Karnataka, the mines and geology department, government of Karnataka, has recommended premature termination of 14 iron ore mining leases from Categories A and B in the state.

The field survey of iron ore mines, which was undertaken by the Odisha government on the instructions of the M B Shah commission to detect mining operation beyond leasehold area, has not revealed any major irregularities.

The government is likely to submit its report the commission in two to three days following completion of field verification at various sites in iron ore rich Keonjhar district.

Out of the operational mines, prior to the ban on mining by the Apex Court, the Goa government Wednesday claimed that at least 60 could be in a position to resume operations, if the ban was lifted

PANJIM: State has approximately two billion tonnes of iron ore reserves, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, and assured that he would carry out an estimate of the exact quantity of ore lying in all mining leases in Goa.

Justifying the government’s decision to impose stamp duty on renewal of mining lease, Parrikar said that ‘government is trying to recover the amount lost by the State in form of lease amount, dumps, etc over the years. He, however, clarified that signing of lease agreement does not allow any firm to carry out mining, unless it has all required documents.

The objective of the system is to enable the process of management of data relating to areas for exploration and mining.

State says IBM report on 'mineral development' not binging

The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has sought from the Odisha government the details of 24 mining leases, which are awaiting extension of the validity period of the leases, before giving its recommendation whether the leases should be renewed in the interest of 'mineral development'. The communication from IBM is in contrast with October 2012 executive order of the state government, which asserted that the state is empowered to take a decision about 'mineral development' while processing renewal application.

The Odisha government has agreed to form a committee to look into lease area encroachment by mine lease holders after getting direction from Shah Commission to this effect. The committee is scheduled to start functioning from March 4 and submit its report soon.

Illegal mining enquiry agency, Justice M B Shah Commission on Wednesday had asked the state government to form a committee to demarcate lease areas of different miners after they complained that the maps being referred by the Commission and the state government were not accurate.
"The committee will have seven members including representative from the state government, Shah Commission and Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)," Shah said.

PANJIM: The Union Ministry of Mines dropped a bombshell Friday, by shooting a copy of the letter addressed to Orissa government to all State governments which says that basic Central government permissions were needed before renewal of mining leases and permissions from the Indian Bureau of Mines and assessment of amount of mineral left in the lease, feasibility and other such criteria need to be adhered to.

The two-page directions received by State Directorate of Mines come on the heels of the communiqué from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests stating that leases cannot be renewed in case any part of the mining lease comes within forest areas and for which forest clearance has to be obtained.

BHUBANESWAR: Acceding to the demands of different miners, the Justice M B Shah Commission on Friday announced formation of a committee for physical verification of the boundaries of certain mines.