Three more mines in the state are set to face the axe of steel & mines department over statutory violations.
The mines in the dock include Teherai Sonua iron ore and manganese mines of Tarini Minerals Ltd spread over 29.076 hectares, Mandajoda manganese mine (58.505 hectares) owned by Bajarang Sarda, both mines being in Sundergarh district and Joruri iron ore mines of Kalinga Mining Corporation spread over 12.69 hectares in Keonjhar district.
The department is set to terminate these three mining leases following recommendation of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).
"These three mines are on the verge of being terminated due to statutory violations. We will communicate to IBM on action taken by the department with respect to these mines”, said a departmental official.
It may be noted that the Regional Controller of Mines of IBM-Bhubaneswar had ordered suspension of mining activities in respect of Joruri iron ore mines under Rule 13 (2) of Mineral Conservation & Development Rules-1988 in October 2010. IBM had observed that mining activities carried out in this mine were not in accordance with the approved Mining Plan.
Now, the steel & mines department is mulling to invoke Rule 27 (5) of Mineral Concession Rules-1960 for terminating the mine lease. The rule empowers the state government to terminate the lease and forfeit the whole or part of the security deposit.
The department had issued a showcause notice to the mine owner on April 23, 2011. Personal hearing was also conducted on August 23 last year.
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IBM had also issued suspension order against Mandajoda manganese mine in August 2010 for carrying out mining activities without any valid or approved mining plan, thereby violating Rule 13 (1) of Mineral Conservation & Development Rules-1988.
The Mandajoda manganese is set to be terminated under Rule 27 (5) of Mineral Concession Rules-1960. Earlier, the steel & mines department had slapped showcause notice to the lessee- Bajarang Sarada on April 26 last year and conducted a personal hearing.'
Similarly, Teherai Sonua iron ore and manganese mines of Tarini Minerals Ltd had received the suspension order of IBM in December 2009 for carrying out mining operation that were not in accordance with the mining plan.
The steel & mines department had issued showcause notice to the lessee on November 10, 2010.
IBM has urged the steel & mines department to terminate the mining lease under Section 4A (1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act-1957.
The section entitles the state governments to terminate the mining lease in the interest of preservation of natural environment, prevention of pollution, conservation of natural resources, safety in mines and other reasons mentioned in the MMDR Act.
Continuing its crack down on illegal mine raising, the steel & mines department has so far terminated 40 mining leases while not renewing even a single expired lease. Only 116 out of a total of 600 mine leases in the state are currently in a working condition as operations of 242 mines have been suspended whereas 158 other mines have been temporarily discontinued.