Crackdown on illegal mining in Orissa intensifies
By IANSThursday, January 21, 2010
BHUBANESWAR - The Orissa government has ordered suspension of work at about 22 more mines in the past fortnight, taking the tally to 150 since last July, the state’s director of mines J.R. Patnaik said Thursday.
“The total number of mines served notice to suspend operations would be around 150 by today,” Patnaik told IANS.
Most mines ordered to suspend operations are located in the mineral-rich Keonjhar district, where over a dozen were served notice during the past one week.
“They do not possess various statutory requirements. That include mining licence and environmental clearances from the state pollution control board,” the mines director said.
“They will be allowed to resume mining only after they submit valid papers showing they are licensed.”
The state government started an investigation last July following allegations that several operators did not have licences.
Closed mines include iron ore, manganese, graphite, laterite, limestone and dolomite mines, Patnaik said.
Orissa is one of the largest mineral-bearing states in India, accounting for nearly 17 percent of the country’s mineral reserves.
