Centre keen to restart closed mines

Expresses need to fast-track approvals for such mines

Ruling out any crackdown on mining operations in the wake of the Supreme Court orders and the Shah Commission report on illegal mining in different states, the Union mines ministry said its focus is to restart operations of mines that have shut down.

“We are now keen to restart the closed mines. We will see where the problems lie and what are the provisions in law. Today, we had detailed discussions with the state officials in this regard. We need to fast track approvals for such mines and we will do it as quickly as possible,” said Union mines secretary Anup K Pujari.

On apprehensions about mines in Odisha facing closure, he said, “We have not come here to ban mining. We want to ensure that mining operations are started. But that does not mean that we will keep quiet if laws are flouted. A lot of leaseholders are doing good work and this should be highlighted. People should realise that mining is a legitimitate economic activity.”

“Our discussions centred on how mines can resume normal operations. There is a need to expedite various clearances and those leases whose validity has expired, their renewal has to be sped up,” said Odisha chief secretary J K Mohapatra.

Miners in Odisha are visibly worried over the future of mines operations, especially those working under ‘deemed extension’. Though the Supreme Court has completed hearing on illegal mining in the state, it has reserved its interim order.

Asked on the future of mines operating in Odisha under deemed extension, Pujari said, “The Supreme Court has not commented specifically on Odisha mining. Whatever the apex court has said on mines working under deemed licenses was on mining in Goa. We are awaiting the court’s order.”

While passing a ruling in case of Goa mining in April this year, the apex court held that deemed mining licences can be valid for no more than 20 years. “The big picture is that the mining sector has come to a sort of a grinding standstill. For this reason, I had elaborate discussions yesterday with the Chhattisgarh government. We need to rejuvenate the mining sector,” Pujari said.

Asked on grant of prospecting licence (PL) over Khandadhar to Posco, he said, “We did not discuss any specific issue. We had discussions only on policy matters.”

Presently, 59 mines are operating in Odisha including 41 iron ore & manganese mines, six coal mines, one bauxite mine, five chromite and six limestone mines. As many as 131 mines have been shut down due to want of various approvals, said a government release.