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Mining firms in Karnataka will be able to recommence exports of iron ore from April 20, with the State Government slated to lift a ban imposed on overseas shipment of the commodity, as directed by the Supreme Court.
The apex court has given the State Government 15 days’ time to raise the required infrastructure to check illegal mining in the state.
A Bench comprising Mr Justices R.V. Raveendran and A.K. Patnaik also asked the State Government to consider the suggestion made by the Karnataka Lokayukta in its report to curb illegal mining.
The court further observed that the State Government had already notified the Karnataka Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage of Minerals Rules, 2010 as per its directions and in future, the State Government would check all unlawful mining through it.
On Monday, senior advocate Mr K.V. Vishwanathan, appearing for the State Government, had requested the Supreme Court to grant 15 days time’ to set up various check posts and install Radio Frequency Identification Devices on miners’ trucks to track their movement.
Passing two orders in July 2010, the State Government had banned transportation of iron ore for export purposes for six months. This was challenged by mining firms Sesa Goa, MSPL, SB Minerals, Minerals Enterprises and Sathya Granites before the Supreme Court.
On Monday, the mining firms had submitted that the Karnataka Government was not lifting its ban on transportation of iron ore for exports, despite the assurances given to the apex court that it was a temporary measure and would last only for six months.
However, the period had lapsed and the Government was still not issuing permits to transport the iron ore extracted from their mines, they said.
Earlier, in this matter, the apex court had on February 11 directed the Government to allow export of the iron ore that had piled up in major ports of the state following the imposition of a ban on overseas shipments.
The Bench had said that if the State Government did not bring the proposed Karnataka Prevention of Illegal Mining Transportation and a Storage of Minerals Act, 2011, into force by the end of March, mining firms would be entitled to get interim relief.
In January, the Supreme Court had asked the Karnataka Government to either notify the new law against illegal mining within two weeks or lift its order banning transportation of iron ore meant for exports.
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