PANJIM: The minor mineral extractors in the state will now have to seek permission from union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) before applying for the licence with the state Mines and Geology department, according to an order issued the Mines department on Thursday following Supreme Court directives.

The directives stated that the leases of minor mineral including their renewal for an area of less than five hectares be granted by the States/Union Territories only after getting environmental clearance from the MoEF. The order was passed on February 27, in a petition filed by one Deepak Kumar and other v/s state of Haryana.

New Delhi The Supreme Court has directed the Orissa government to recommend the case for grant of iron ore reserves to the central government for the Bhushan Power & Steel’s 2.8 million tonne-integrated steel plant at Lapanga, Orissa.

Setting aside the Orissa High Court judgment that refused to interfere with the state government’s decision asking Bhushan Power & Steel (erstwhile Bhushan) to sign a fresh MoU,

Coalmin rejects proposal saying there is no such precedence.

PANJIM: In a major violation, one-third of operational mining leases in Goa are operated by raising contractors, many of whom are politicians.

Goa Foundation, in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before Bombay High Court at Goa has pointed out that over 30 operational mining leases in Goa are operated by persons or companies other than the lessee.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has refuted charges that he had sanctioned mining leases as chief minister of Karnataka and pointed to the inquiry on mining by the then Lokayukta Justice Sant

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has issued show-cause notices to three mining lease holders on charges of violation of Mineral Concession Rules.

With allegations of illegal sub-lease of mines to private parties by lease holders pouring in, Orissa Government has launched an operation to detect such “frauds,” official sources said.

BHUBANESWAR: With allegations of rampant illegal sub-lease of mines to private parties by lease-holders, the State Government has launched an operation to detect such irregularities.