SHILLONG: The State Government has not yet approved the mining lease for several companies which are keen to mine the natural resources in the State.

“Altogether, eight companies have applied for mining lease,” Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters recently. He also informed that the companies which have applied for mining lease include the cement companies in Jaintia Hills, namely Adhunik and Star Cement which had submitted fresh applications.

MARGAO: Coming down heavily on the Parrikar government for consenting to the transfer of mining leases sans auction, Independent MLA Vijai Sardessai has demanded a probe by a House Committee to inquire into the transfer of mining leases in the state.

He has threatened to knock the doors of the High Court if the government fails to stop transfer of mining leases, saying transfer of mining leases will only bring hordes of outside mine owners to loot and plunder the state.

Miners are now pressuring the state government to lift the export ban to boost their business

A two-year old ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka which has halved shipments from the world's No. 3 supplier will be the focus of an industry gathering in Bangalore as pressure mounts for the restriction to be lifted. Karnataka, where iron ore mining is also severely limited, has been the poster state for India's efforts to crack down on illegal mining.

CBI is investigating alleged irregularities in mines allotment without auction between 2006 and 2009

The Prime Minister's Office has given "instruction" to the Coal Ministry to help CBI in its probe into alleged irregularities in allotment of coal mines without auction between 2006 and 2009. "The Prime Minister himself wants that each and every aspect should be investigated.

In a development that may be considered a shot in the arm for environmentalists, the Additional Civil Judge (senior division) has ordered a permanent stop to iron ore mining at Kemmannugundi in the Chandradrona Hills of the Western Ghats.

Additional Civil Judge (senior division) Manjunath Nayak on Monday ordered a complete ban on mining and related activities, considering that the land is an eco-sensitive zone and located adjacent to the Bhadra Tiger Reserve.

Aims to start shipping coal to India, other SE Asian nations by 2016.

SANGUEM: Given the fears of possible crackdown by the government on mining operations at Tolem and Dudhal Mines in Sanguem, the mining dependent people from Sanguem on Sunday convened an emergency

Sanjay Reddy, GVK vice-chairman, and Georgina Hope Rinehart, chairman, Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd., the co-owners of the Alpha Mine & Rail project in Queensland, Australia, have expressed confidence of securing an early environmental clearance from Australian federal authorities.

Ms. Rinehart, who flew into the city to attend a board meeting, told reporters in the presence of GVK chairman G.V.K. Reddy and Mr. Sanjay Reddy, that the project was of immense importance to both Australia and India with the former having lot of coal and the latter requiring it. “Massive projects like this are revenue providers”, she added.

Deputy Director of Mines (DDM) for Joda mining circle has issued notices to eight iron and manganese mines for payment of royalty dues amounting to Rs 350 crore on the basis of updated ore prices issues by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).

The notices for differential royalty collection were sent to Joda East Iron Ore mines (Rs 90.19 crore), Nua Gaon mines of KJS Ahluwalia group (Rs 3.32 crore), K N Ram mines (Rs 10.13 crore), Mesco mines (Rs 12.41 crore), R P Sao Guali mine (Rs 93.59 crore), Jajang mine of Rungta Group (Rs 60.66 crore), Ziling mine of Essel Mining (Rs 25.21 crore), and Kashia mine, also of Essel Mining (Rs 23.52 crore).

Probe finds the company selling entire produce to JSPL without agreement

Sarada Mines is in the dock for glaring violation of Rule 37 of Mineral Concession Rules (MCR)-1960. The lessee which holds lease of the Thakurani iron ore mines spread over 947.04 hectares in Keonjhar district has been found to sell its entire run of mine (ROM) produce to Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) without any agreement.