"We have issued notices to the 18 mine companies today," steel and mines secretary G Srinivas told PTI.
The steel and mines department has asked the miners to comply with the notices within a month. The notices to the 18 mines were sent with reference to Section 26 (1) of Mineral Concession Rules (refusal of lease renewal).
Based on an order of the Supreme Court on May 16, the state government had ordered closure of 26 mines including these 18. However, eight mines were later allowed to operate on the basis of an Express Order as the companies had captive use of iron ore.
The Supreme Court in its May 16 order had directed the state government to expedite pending applications of 26 mines within six months and ordered to halt mining operation at these mines running under deemed extension.