Contrary to assurances given by the Goa government to crack down on rampant mining in forest areas, its report submitted to the union Ministry of Environment and Forests has recommended drastic reduction of eco fragile zones near wildlife sanctuaries.

Environmentalists as well as opposition parties have slammed the government over the report on eco fragile zone.

Oil in the Bangtar area under Samdrupjongkhar dzongkhag, copper, gold and silver in the black mountain area of central Bhutan and tungsten in Sarpang are the potential minerals an American businessman J Matthew Fifield has offered to prospect for and, if found viable, then extract them.

BHUBANESWAR: The Vigilance on Friday started an enquiry to ascertain whether there has been any illegal mining from the Kalaparvat iron ore mines allotted to B D Patnaik. This is the third case taken up by the Vigilance, which is investigating the multi-crore mining scam.

KOLLAM: The Kerala Mineral Research Institute will be established at Chavara in Kollam.

The principal chief conservator of forest has sent an order to the forest department clarifying that picking of scrap mica is indeed illegal.

The order comes in the wake of recent trouble and a report submitted by the regional chief conservator of forest, Manraaj, in this regard. The directive sought to clear confusion over whether only mica mining was illegal.

The Goa environment ministry ordered the closure of 12 mines last week for their proximity to wildlife sanctuaries, but the government's new draft mineral policy allows mining in close vicinity of the protected areas.

SALEM: Collector J. Chandrakumar asked the officials from the Mining and Revenue departments to work in close co-ordination to prevent illegal mining in the district.

Participating at a meeting held here recently, the Collector cautioned that stern action would be initiated against persons who were found involved illegal mining of minerals in the district.

Shortage of Bajri, Sand

All major road and other construction projects, including the four-laning of the Zirakpur-Kalka highway, have come to a halt. Not for the shortage of funds, but for the unavailability of materials like stones and bajri.

An offer of free assessment of its iron ore reserves has come Jharkhand