Says the govt's attempts to implement policy measures have been futile for nearly six months

The All Odisha Steel Federation (AOSF), a body representing the interests of steel and sponge iron makers in the state, has slammed the steel & mines department for its failure to implement policy decisions that promised raw material security for indigenous units. AOSF held that the government's attempts to implement the policy measures have been futile for nearly six months.

PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Thursday launched a scathing attack on environmentalists claiming they should not criticize the government on mining while ‘sitting in AC rooms’.

In his reply to the discussion on the Budget 2013-14, Parrikar claimed that mining industry was very crucial to strengthen the financial status of Goa. “I am not supporting the mine owners but for that (sins of mine owners) why should the common man be punished?” he asked.

Nearly 323 mining lease applications are pending for renewal

The state steel & mines department is set to miss the deadline stipulated by the Odisha High Court (HC) for disposing off pending applications for mine lease renewal. In an interim order delivered on December 21 last year, the HC had instructed the state government to dispose off all applications for renewal of mining leases within three months.

PANJIM: BJP Legislator Vishnu Wagh Wednesday called on mine owners to share half the financial burden for compensating the people affected due to closure of mining industry in the State, questioning why State government alone should share the burden.

Speaking during the general discussion on the Budget for 2013-14, Wagh asked, “What responsibility do mine owners have towards their workers who are rendered jobless now? Let the government compensate 50 percent and the rest be done by the mining companies,” he said supporting the government’s packages to the affected people.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has intensified exploration of rare earth minerals such as platinum, gold and tungsten, said A Sundaramoorthy, Director General of GSI, here on Wednesday.

Noting that there was a shortage of fertiliser minerals and geo-thermal energy sources, he said GSI was developing technologies to extract deep-seated metal deposits.

PANJIM: The Directorate of Mines and Geology is working on a proposal not to allow applications for mining leases, prospecting licences or reconnaissance permits in areas covered under previous con

PANJIM: Contrary to popular perceptions, it was not just 2012-13, in which negative growth in mining revenue led to fall in State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Net Domestic Product (NDP), but negative growth was witnessed in 2011-12, even when mining ban was not in force.

Revenues recorded negative growth of 6.43 percent (GDP) and 10.95 per cent (NDP), in 2012-13, the just released Economic Survey reads. Although the revenue collection from mining areas has decreased, the economic measures adopted by the state government have negated the impact to some extent, it added. The Economic Survey 2012-13 was tabled on the Floor of the House on Monday.

Union minister says it only leads to increased Maoist activity in the areas

Arguing that mining in tribal areas would lead to increased Maoist activity, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has called for a 20-year moratorium on mining projects that affect the livelihood sources of the tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh. “Nowhere in the country has mining benefited the tribals. Only a few outsiders became rich while the locals remained poor,” Ramesh said while addressing a public meeting at GK Veedhi, a remote tribal hamlet in the coastal Andhra district of Visakhapatnam.

Clash with ruling party members ultimately resulted in walkout by Congress legislators

The state government on Monday faced heat in the assembly over the controversial issue of mapping of mine lease boundaries with the Opposition Congress alleging that the DGPS (differential global positioning system) survey has exposed the state’s complicity in loot of minerals. The clash with the ruling party members ultimately resulted in walkout by the Congress legislators

Goa's iron ore industry has urged the state government not to levy additional taxes on it during the forthcoming state Budget to be presented on the floor of the House on Monday.

In its pre-budget wish list, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) has said the industry is already reeling under pressure of the current suspension by the Supreme Court.