The Eastern Zone Mining Association (EZMA) made a strong plea to the Odisha government to speed up reopening of 18 shut iron and manganese ore mines awaiting second and subsequent renewal. These mines that were operating under the provisions of 'deemed extension' have been inoperative since May last year following a Supreme Court order.
But EZMA pressed for allowing the mines to resume operations, citing the recent Mines and Minerals Development & Regulation (MMDR) Ordinance, 2015.
“We had a detailed discussion on the status of these 18 mines during the recent visit of joint secretary, Union mines ministry. Today, we reiterated our demand for reopening these mines. All clearances are available for these 18 mines. These mines have also got extension to operate till 2020 as per the recent Ordinance”, said Prabodh Mohanty, secretary, EZMA after meeting chief secretary G C Pati.
“EZMA has urged the state government to examine the case of all these 18 mines and decide expeditiously. The state government has assured us that they are waiting for the Rules to be framed for implementing the Ordinance. After the Rules are framed, the government will dispose off the cases of the 18 mines expeditiously”, he said.
EZMA also demanded reopening of 102 non-working mines that have been suspended for want of statutory clearances.
“We have urged the state government to examine the status of these 102 mines and decide on them on a case to case basis. Those mines that have already obtained all necessary clearances may be allowed to operate”, Mohanty said.
Last month, the state government decided to auction all mines awaiting second and subsequent renewal, including the 18 iron and manganese ore mines affected by the Supreme Court order. Some of these miners contested the government's resolution in the Orissa High Court. The state government has filed a counter affidavit, pleading that it can examine and decide the cases of these 18 mines. The court while staying the resolution, has fixed February 4 as the next date of hearing.
The 18 mines in question 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, B I Company Ltd, Feegrade & Company Ltd, OMM Pvt Ltd, state run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and Rungta Mines Ltd.
“Twenty six mines under second and subsequent renewal had to stop operation after the Supreme Court's order. The government passed express orders in case of 18 mines. Operations of 18 mines continue to be closed. In view of the MMDR Amendment Ordinance 2015, we would request that these 18 mines should be allowed to resume operations immediately”, EZMA stated in the memorandum submitted to the government.
“Resumption of mining operation will boost the economy of the region and the state. This will result in a considerable increase to the exchequer, leading to overall development of the state. Any delay in resumption of mining operations of the closed mines will lead to curtailment of the tenure of the effective working of the mines”, the memorandum added.
