Centre conducts survey of Andhra, Karnataka mines

A five-member Survey of India team has conducted a survey of Obulapuram iron ore areas in Ananthapur district (Andhra Pradesh) and Karnataka to verify the charges of illegal mining in reserve forest areas.

The team, headed by Additional Survey General, Ashok Kumar Padha and Deputy Director V N Mishra, conducted the survey to fix boundaries for Antaragangamma Konda Mine, said a release issued by the team.

The Supreme Court had directed the agency to conduct the survey following allegations of encroachment, it said.

The team inspected border maps of revenue and forest departments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and a sketch of the 68.5 hectares of the company.They conducted a satellite survey by establishing a central point in Bellary to determine the boundaries of Obulapuram Antaragangamma Mines Company. The officials will submit a report on the survey to the Supreme Court on April 9, after which the court will take a decision on a re-survey of other iron ore mines or continuing mining operations.

The team was appointed by the Supreme Court to verify charges of illegal mining in reserve forest areas in Andhra Pradesh by Karnataka's Reddy brothers, who own Obalapuram Mining Company.

A Division Bench of the Supreme Court on March 22 had stayed mining by Obalapuram, owned by state Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy, besides two other companies, and appointed a committee to verify the charges. The government was asked to submit its report in two weeks.