SAIL seeks Orissa's help to expedite clearance for its mines

Public sector giant Steel Authority of India (SAIL) today sought the Orissa government's help in expediting environment and other related clearances for its two captive iron ore mines, official sources said.

SAIL made this request when its chairman Chandra Sekhar Verma met chief minister Naveen Patnaik here this evening.

"We have sought help of chief minister to expedite requisite clearance for starting mining at our two mines located at Barsuan and Kantabua," Verma told reporters.

Stating that clearance for mining of the two iron ore reserves were significant for expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), SAIL chairman pointed out that the company's plan for heavy investment in mining sector has also remained idle due to the problem.

Though SAIL had already got prospecting licence (PL) over two iron ore reserves at Barsuan and Kantabua, it could not progress due to lack of adequate clearance from the ministry of Environment and Forest.

"The state government needs to start the process for this," Verma said.

"The capacity of RSP's 2 mtpa will be enhanced to 4.5 mtpa in the expansion project," Verma said, adding that the company would achieve its target of 24 mtpa production from its existing capacity of 14 mtpa by 2012-13.

Verma said, "The chief minister was very positive and assured us to expedite process related to environment and other clearances."