Orissa likely to reduce mineral exploration efforts

In a bid to curb illegal mining activities in the state, Orissa government is seriously considering to reduce mineral exploration activities in order to curb illegal mining.

The issue of illegal mining was discussed at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Mr B K Patnaik, official sources said today. In has been decided that a committee would be set up comprising members from steel and mines, forest and environment, works departments and personnel from the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).

The committee will study bearing capacity of road and rail facilities available in mining areas.

“If the panel feels that more minerals were being explored than the bearing capacity of road and rail infrastructure, steps could be taken to reduce the volume of mineral exploration”, Steel and Mines Secretary Mr Manoj Kumar Ahuja told reporters.

The state government has also decided to request Union Ministry of Shipping to issue directions to the authorities of Haldia and Vishakhapatanam ports to share information on the volume of minerals being exported through their facilities.

Though the state is aware about quantity of iron ore being exported through the port at Paradip, it has no information regarding transportation of minerals by ports at Haldia and Vishakhapatanam, Ahuja said.

As the state did not have exact figures on the volume of minerals being exported through ships, it is difficult to know the volume of iron ore being smuggled out of Orissa, he said.

The meeting also decided to install check gates and CCTV cameras in all the 29 railway sidings in Keonjhar district, he said, adding that steps were being taken to introduce automated transit passes for the trucks carrying minerals.

“All the trucks engaged in transportation of minerals will now have to get registered at the directorate of mines besides having valid registration number from the office of the regional transport,” Mr Ahuja said.

The chief secretary also asked the state level task force on mining to visit different sites and mining lease areas to physically verify the violation.

Besides, direction was also issued to monitor activities of storage agents dealing with minerals.

In a reply to a question, Mr Ahuja said the department had received about 300 applications for renewal of mining lease (RML) of which only 30 had been disposed.

“Those applying for RML need to submit digital map of the mines area,” Mr Ahuja said, adding that all possible steps were being taken to end illegal mining.

COMMENT NOW