Orissa's check on illegal iron ore mining hits Tata Steel's ops

Tata Steel today said the Orissa government's efforts to check illegal iron ore mining has hit the transportation of the mineral affecting the company's and other steel makers' operations.

"Due to the clamping of Section 144 in Banspani Railway station, the mineral rake movement through Banspani Railway station has been adversely affected for various companies including Tata Steel," the company said in a statement.

The government clamped Section 144 of CrPC in Banspani Railway station to check illegal movement of minerals, including iron ore. It is a prohibitory order, which primarily prevents assembly of five or more persons at a given place.

Tata Steel, which sources iron ore from Joda mines in the state to feed its 6.8 million-tonne plant in Jamshedpur, has its railway siding at Joda East, for which railway rakes come through Banspani Railway station.

"Our mining operations at Joda have not been affected," it added.

The steel maker further said it has taken up the matter with concerned authorities to facilitate the movement of the railway rake used for carrying iron ore.

"Tata Steel has taken up with appropriate authorities to facilitate mineral rake movement from its railway siding located at Joda East," it added.

To check illegal mining in the state, last year, Orissa government had banned such practices and clamped down on operations of hundreds of private miners.