Karnataka to have mining policy

The Karnataka government will shortly come out with a mining policy to regulate and streamline the sector.

Announcing this in the Assembly on Tuesday here, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy pointed out that illegal mining was taking place in the state with the global demand for iron ore ever increasing.

"Action has been initiated against illegal mine owners. But we feel that an appropriate mining policy will put an end to such activities. Karnataka has rich deposits of various ores. The policy will be aimed at regulating the sector," he explained.

A group of experts will be constituted shortly to come out with the draft of the policy. As soon as the draft is presented to the government, the policy will be prepared in consultation with mine owners and industries.