State retains cap on iron ore output at Joda, Koira at 57 mnt

OMC iron ore production seen at 20 mnt by 2016-17

The state task force on mining has decided to retain the cap on iron ore production and despatch from Joda and Koira, the two most prolific ore producing sectors, at 57 million tonne (mnt) for this fiscal.

“We are sticking to our decision to cap production and despatch of iron ore from Joda at 44 mnt and that of Koira at 13 mnt. The balance stock of ore will also be allowed for despatch since it comes within the prescribed limits,” said director of mines Deepak Mohanty.

The decision to fix a ceiling on iron ore output and its movement has been taken factoring in the available infrastructure and also to ease traffic congestion at Paradeep Port Trust (PPT).

“Not more than 1,100 trips would be permitted per day on iron ore movement from Joda and Koira to Paradeep port,” said Mohanty.

He said, the government has also approved a plan to ramp up production of its mining PSU Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).

According to the capacity upgrade plan, OMC’s iron ore production has been pegged at 5.7 mnt for the current fiscal. The state run miner’s iron ore output has been pegged at nine mnt for 2015-16 and 20 mnt for 2016-17.

To achieve the projected output level, OMC has to scale up its infrastructure and take steps to expedite forest clearances for mines, said Mohanty.

To check illegal mining, it has been decided to strengthen the state level enforcement squad.

“Three units of the enforcement squad have already been sanctioned and we have decided to set up the fourth unit. Each squad consists of a sub-inspector of police, mining officer, forest range officer and eight constables,” he said.

Presently, police personnel of four mineral rich districts- Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur have been empowered to carry search and warrant operations under the provisions of Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. It has been decided to extend the exercise to three more districts- Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Angul.

On cases of piled up RML (renewal of mining lease) applications, Mohanty said, “The chief secretary has given clear instructions to expedite disposal of RML applications. Going by the July 18 amendment (to Mineral Concession Rules, 1960), mines under first renewal can be allowed to operate for a maximum of two years. The mines awaiting second and subsequent renewal cannot be permitted to operate until they are renewed,”

He said, the key hurdle to renewal of mines was obtaining forest clearance. To expedite the approval, a committee has been constituted by the state government under the chairmanship of principal secretary (forest & environment) to review status of forest clearances of mines regularly.

More than 200 RML applications in the state are pending for disposal.