Bhubaneswar: To ensure smooth supply of ore to Odisha-based industries on a long-term basis, the first meeting of the ministerial committee would be held on November 26 to formulate a policy to thi

The ministries of coal, mines and rural development have opposed setting up of Ultra Mega Steel Plants (UMSPs) in the country, saying that land and raw materials were scarce resources and cannot be

Bhubaneswar When Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Jena described Orissa’s mining scam as bigger than those of Goa and Karnataka put together, it might have been only a figure of speech. But indication of how big it could be has come now, with a penalty demand note of Rs 68,000-odd crore sent by the Orissa steel and mines department to the holders of 103 mining leases for excess mining between 2000 and 2010.

The showcause and demand notices to companies such as Tata Steel, Essel Mining, Rungtas and Indrani Patnaik for extracting iron ore and manganese beyond the permissible limit set by the authorities came almost three years after the mining scam had broken out in the state. Incidentally, the order came when members of the Justice M B Shah Commission, now probing the scam, were touring the state for the third time in less than a year.

Tata Steel on Tuesday said it will contest the . 6,000 crore fine imposed on the company by Odisha government over alleged violation of mining norms in the state.

State sends notices to Essel Mining, Tata Steel, Sarda Mines and others

Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said the mines ministry had moved a note for the sale of the government’s residual stake in Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) and Bharat Aluminium (Balco).

The matter would go to the Cabinet and the finance ministry would give its views in due course, he said. And, declined to comment on the pricing, noting he’d earlier recused from this matter.

The Union Ministry of Mines has asked the State Government to submit a status report on setting up of a special anti-extortion and anti-money laundering cell to prevent the nexus between illegal mi

The Joda mining circle under the state steel and mines department has issued show cause notices to 42 iron ore and manganese mines lease holders over last two weeks in excess raising cases and has urged them to take steps to return the amount of money they have gained by selling the excess mineral raised.

It had sent notices to around 20 miners in August this year on the same charges. In the second phase, the government has picked up 42 more miners this month, including Aditya Birla Group company controlled Essel Mining, Tata Steel and state-run miner Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).

State Resists As Centre Seeks Opening Of Sector

Jaipur: The states’ monopoly over exploration and production of rock phosphate in the country’s largest reserves is not only hitting farmers but also increasing the Centre’s subsidy burden as the prices of the commodity in the international market have gone through the roof.
Even though the Union mines ministry has written to the Rajasthan government early this year to liberalise the sector, the state has initiated no action in this regard.

Mines minister Dinsha Patel has asked finance minister P Chidambaram to immediately roll back the customs duty on iron ore from 30 per cent to 15 per cent.