Karnataka speeds up spadework to restart the pits

Discusses issues facing Category A and B mines with owners, fast-tracks approvals

For the first time after the Supreme Court, in its order on April 18, allowed the recommencement of iron ore mining by Category-A and -B mines, the Karnataka government has put on a fast track the process to issue necessary approvals to various mines.

As a first step, Tushar Girinath, secretary, mines, held individual meetings with all companies from the categories in the presence of the director of mines and geology, forest officials and other officials on Wednesday to sort issues.

“We had called 63 mine owners, who have got their R&R (reclamation and rehabilitation) plans approved by the Central Empowered Committee. We have asked them to give details of their problems and asked them when they could start production and what were the pending approvals,” Girinath told Business Standard.

He said 15 mines had started  production and had put out four-five million tonnes of iron ore in three-four months besides NMDC. In August and September, the production was nine million tonnes, including NMDC's. “We are trying to find how many more mines can start operations by March,” he said.

Every mine owner has issues like lease renewals, no objection certificate due from the deputy commissioners in case of mines falling in revenue land, forest approvals and execution of leases.

“The miners have discussed their problems pertaining to securing various approvals before restarting their mines. This is a positive step and we hope to get our approvals on the fast track,” said Basant Poddar, managing director, Mineral Enterprises Limited (MEL). Sesa Goa and MEL are among the 24   waiting for renewal of their leases. These two have a combined capacity of three million tonnes. “We expect at least another six-seven mines would get the final approval to restart mining by the end of November or December. We can expect 12-13 million tonnes of ore coming to the market, apart from NMDC’s, by January,” Poddar said.

By February, the availability of ore is likely to touch 20-22 million tonnes, including NMDC’s, he said.

Girinath said he would convene a meeting of another 50 leaseholders yet to secure approvals for their R&R plans.