Bhubaneswar: Closure order for Tata’s Sukinda Chrome mines has been increased for another 15 days as the next hearing of the case at the Odisha High Court has been scheduled on 25 Jul, 2014. The case related to a petition filed by Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys (IMFA) for redistribution of the mine among captive producers in the state. Similar cased has been filed by other Ferro Alloys makers like Ferro Alloys Corporation (FACOR) and Ballasore Alloys.
The petitioners have argued that the actual Chrome ore requirement of Tata Steel is limited as compared to its production. On the other hand, the company will need more raw materials in view of future expansion plans; hence Tata should be alloted more Chrome mines.
The Odisha High Court on 10 Jun, 2014 had passed an interim order directing the state government not to renew the mining lease till 19Jun, 2014 and later upto 10Jul, 2014. Now, it has been extended till 25Jul, 2014.
Production at the Chrome mines has been stopped since mid-May after the Supreme Court order on closure of 26 Iron ore and Manganese mines in Odisha.
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