Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of N B Minerals Corporation Limited Vs Union of India & Others dated 27/02/2024.

The matter related to mining of magnesite/dolomite by N B Minerals Corporation Limited,  Didihat, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand.

The Supreme Court (SC), February 29, 2024 directed N B Minerals Corporation Limited not to carry out any other construction or mining of magnesite/dolomite.

The SC permitted N B Minerals Corporation to construct the retaining/safety wall by using machines like earthmoving/construction equipment vehicle and excavator. The retaining/safety wall will be constructed under the supervision and guidance of the Additional District Magistrate, Didihat. Photographs prior to the commencement of the construction and post-construction should be placed on record, the order said.

In order to ascertain the actual factual position and the effect of the mining activities undertaken from the year 2010-2011 till the closure order, the SC appointed a three member committee. The Committee will also examine the reparative work undertaken, and opine whether mining activity should be permitted, and conditions, which should be imposed. The committee has been directed to submit its report within a period of six weeks.