Justice M B Shah Commission, probing illegal mining activities in Odisha, today asked the state government and Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to clear their stands on issues relating to m

Private mining giants like Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and others likely to partner with Coal India under a new public-private partnership (PPP) model in the works won’t have any ownership rights in th

Goa government plans to collect a total revenue of Rs 240 crore in the form of stamp duty by renewing mining leases in the state, of which, Rs 116 crore have been mopped up last week, a senior official said.

In the first lot of renewals of nine mining leases belonging to seven companies, the state government has collected Rs 116 crore. Of the total nine mining leases, seven paid the amount, while two companies asked for some extra time. But the Mines and Geology Department issued fresh notices to seven more mining leases owned by five different mines, asking them to pay the stamp duty, which collectively amounts to Rs 123 crore.

Miners plead innocence as clarity on demarcation between buffer, eco-sensitive zones inadequate

The M B Shah Commission of enquiry probing into illegal mining on Monday asked Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) and the state forest department to submit affidavits regarding their stand on mining in adjacent areas of wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forest area. “All of you should submit an affidavit regarding your interpretation of rules related to mining in adjacent areas of sanctuaries and reserve forest,” Justice M B Shah, the commission chairman told officials of MoEF and state forest department while hearing the matter related to B C Dagara mines.

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.

PANJIM: State government reconstituted State Level Co-ordination-cum-Empowered Committee under chairmanship of Chief Secretary for regulating mining activities in the State, in its efforts to ensure that there is no delay on making preparations as and when mining starts after the apex court nod, an officer stated.

The 16-member committee has the mandate to look into various aspects of mining, right from clearances from various departments, to keep a check on illegal mining.

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.

BHUBANESWAR: Confirming illegal mining in Odisha, Justice M B Shah, who is heading a one-man commission inquiring into the illegalities in the state's mineral sector, on Thursday said miners who ar

BHUBANESWAR: Under the microscope for allegedly engaging in illegalities, several mine owners on Wednesday raised objections before the Justice M B Shah Commission to the manner in which boundaries of mines were determined using satellite images.

Various miners, represented by prominent lawyers, strongly pleaded before the inquiry commission for a fresh physical verification of the boundaries of different mines.