Odisha sets Nov 15 deadline for clearances to eight mines

The leases include four held by Tata Steel, three by SAIL and one by Odisha Mining Corp

The eight iron ore and manganese mines, which are running on the basis of express orders of the state government pending their lease renewal, have been asked to obtain all statutory clearances and execute renewed lease deeds with the government latest by November 15.

The leases include four held by Tata Steel- Bamebari, Katamati, Joda East and Joda West, three mines- Bolani, Barsuan and Kalta held by Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and the Kurmitar Pahar lease of state run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).

After the Supreme Court’s May 26 interim order, 26 mines including these eight leases that were operating under the provisions of deemed lease extension and were awaiting second and subsequent lease renewal, went off operations. Later, the state government, complying with the apex court’s order, had passed express orders in favour of eight mines.

“Earlier, we had given two extensions to the leaseholders of these eight mines and now they have been given the November 15 deadline to obtain all clearances and execute lease deeds with the government,” said director (mines) Deepak Mohanty after a meeting of the state level task force on mining.

Asked on the status of the balance 18 mines, Mohanty said, “The task force did not deliberate on the matter of issuing express orders for those mines.”

The 18 mines in the dock include the ones held by Tata Steel, KJS Ahluwalia, KN Ram, Kalinga Mining Corporation, Kaypee Enterprises, Mideast Integrated Steel, Aryan Mining & Trading Corporation Ltd, Bonai Industrial Company Ltd, Feegrade & Company Ltd, OMM Pvt Ltd, state run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and Rungta Mines Ltd. In its May 16 interim order, the Supreme Court had directed closure of 26 iron ore and manganese mines which were operating under the deemed lease extension clause of Mineral Concession Rule-1960 pending second and subsequent renewal of their leases.

Asked on the follow-up action on reports submitted on illegal mining by the Supreme Court appointed central empowered committee (CEC) and the Shah Commission, Mohanty said, “We haven’t received the reports officially. Even on the Shah Commission’s report, there are no written instructions from the government of India. Once we get the reports officially, we will act on the recommendations immediately.”

Meanwhile, to check illegal mining operations outside the leasehold area, the state government has decided to conduct DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) survey in case of 148 iron ore and manganese mines.

“The survey work will be taken up as per the guidelines recommended by the M B Shah Commission. The survey of 148 mines is expected to be completed by end of May 2015,” Mohanty said.

A team consisting of the chief executive, Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC), director of mines and director of geology has been formed for the survey work.

The detailed DGPS survey was completed for 39 iron ore and manganese mines earlier.