Panel will recommend if CBI should probe money transfer to trusts run by ex-CM’s kin

All eyes will be on the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, with the panel set to submit a crucial report on Friday, on its decision on whether the transfer of money by mining companies to trusts run by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s kin should be probed by the CBI.

The CBI, investigating illegal mining by the Associated Mining Company (AMC), owned by former minister G Janardhana Reddy, began its 3-D laser survey of the mining areas, on Thursday.

The CBI officials, who began their work on April 14, completed the total station survey by Thursday morning and began the 3-D laser survey in the afternoon.

SHILLONG: The preliminary report conducted by the Mining and Geology department has ruled out that uranium exploration is the cause of the mysterious death of thousand of fishes along Ranikor River.

The preliminary report has in fact blamed that the mass death of fish to the toxicity of the river where local people use toxic substances for catching fish for commercial purposes.

With barely eight million tonnes (mt) of iron ore left for auction in Karnataka, sufficient to fire the steel mills’ furnaces for two months, iron and steel companies in and around the state, including JSW Steel and Kalyani Steel, are in dire need of the key raw material.

In the absence of regular mining, they expect the Supreme Court to give a nod for auctioning another two to four mt of additional ore stored at various stockyards of miners and private traders. The apex court is resuming the hearing on the illegal mining case tomorrow.

CURCHOREM: Mineral Foundation of Goa (MFG) chief executive officer S Sridhar said MFG will adopt revival approach to irrigation and agriculture in the mining belt of Goa in near future.

Addressing a press conference at Curchorem on Wednesday, Sridhar said 77 projects amounting to Rs 3.70 crore have been approved for south Goa and north Goa during the last financial year, of which 32 projects were implemented in 2011-12 at a cost of about Rs 1.5 crore under Nirman Project.

BUILDING NEW FOUNDATIONS Aditya Birla company could end up building a 1-2 MT cement plant in the African country

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court to inquire into illegal mining and related cases in Karnataka, is likely to give its final report to the apex court tomorrow. The report would cover three cases relating to JSW Steel, Adani Enterprises and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

In its report, the CEC is likely to state whether a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry is required on the bribery charges against Yeddyurappa.

State govt mulls cancelling contracts with JSW Ispat and Bhushan Steel

Govt issues orders to keep illegal mining of ore in check

The Mines and Geology Department , Goa has issued orders to the mining firms in the state to provide details of their daily operations, thereby making it easy for the government to keep a tab on the exports. The newly-appointed director of the Mines and Geology Department, Prasanna Acharya asked the mining lease holders to submit daily reports regarding transportation of iron ore from the mining sites.

MoEF Nixes Co’s Bid To Get Niyamgiri Mines, Shelves Refinery Expansion