IBM report on illegal mining soon

The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), which is probing into illegal mining activities in 25 mines in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, will submit its report to the Centre on February 3.

“IBM has not stopped its probe into the matter and we will submit our report on cases of alleged illegal mining in 25 mines in three states including eight mines in Orissa on February 3”, said C S Gundewar, controller general, IBM.

He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 12th Mines Environment and Mineral Conservation Week for 2009-10, organized here by IBM's Bhubaneswar region.

The IBM report on the alleged illegal mining activities in Orissa assumes significance in the light of the mining scam in the state which has been in the eye of a storm for several months.

Later addressing the delegates, Gundewar said, “The mining industry in Orissa is on the threshold of a major expansion and it needs to be more vigilant in the future. The entrepreneurs in the mining industry need to carry out mining activities with the consent of the locals and they should also focus on community development.”

The mine owners should focus on research and development (R&D) and need to have a greater awareness on the environmental aspect of mining operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Dalwai, the state steel and mines secretary said, “The mine owners in Orissa need to develop common R&D facilities. These research labs should develop appropriate mining practices.”

Stating that the profit margins are huge in the mining industry, he said, if a part of this profit is earmarked for R&D, mining can be termed as a truly sustainable activity.

Taking a swipe at mining lobbies, Dalwai said, it is unfortunate that lobbying is prevalent even in an activity like mining which has to be managed in a highly professional manner.