OMC seeks easing of clearances for mines exploration

The Odisha mining firm says that delay in obtaining forest clearance was hindering exploration work

Faced with criticism for its inability to operate all mining leases, state controlled firm Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has pleaded to the Shah Commission of enquiry to help ease clearance procedures for exploration of mines.

OMC argued that delay in obtaining forest clearance was hindering exploration work. The state PSU currently has 21 leases of which only four are in operations.

"The commission asked us why we are not carrying out exploration on the balance leases. We explained to them that during exploration, if more bore holes needed to be dug beyond the permissible limit, forest clearance was mandatory. Getting forest clearances usually takes two to three years and this has hindered our exploration work. We have suggested that if forest clearance is not made mandatory for digging bore holes, the lessees can know where the the minerals are available within a lease area. For example, OMC surrendered around 700 hectares of forest land after exploration at Daitari mines. We have pleaded for simplified clearance procedure for mines exploration and the commission has asked us to submit a representation in this regard”, said Saswat Mishra, chairman and managing director (CMD), OMC.

The commission had called the OMC authorities for hearing on Saturday for further information and clarification on the status of its 21 leases including the discrepancies observed in DGPS (differential global positioning system) maps and the ones prepared by the lessees based on the cadastral maps of the revenue department.

"The commission has asked us to furnish details of 4-5 mines where major variations have been noted. As desired by the commission, OMC is ready to pay Rs four lakh per sq km for having a detailed mapping of the lease area”, said Mishra.

On questions raised by the panel as to why OMC was sitting over so many leases, he said, “We are operating three leases-Daitari, Khandadhar and Gandhamardhan at almost full capacity. These leases have 90% of mineral deposits among all our leases. We are unable to operate the remaining leases because of pending forest and environment clearances.”