Odisha weighs legal option to auction Niyamgiri mine

Sequel to SC's refusal last year to reopen tribal sabhas' rejection of state mining corporation plan

In a perhaps final attempt to revive bauxite mining atop the ecologically fragile Niyamgiri hills, the Odisha government is exploring the possibility of putting these mines for auction. The contentious deposit is no longer under the leasehold of its Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).

The bauxite-laden hills, straddling Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, are estimated to have 75 million tonnes of reserves. OMC had earlier lost the bid to mine Niyamgiri, with the local Dongaria tribes unanimously voting against the plan. Referendums were held under Supreme Court's directive in 12 villages in the two districts in July-August 2013. Local tribals nixed the