Odisha High Court has issued an interim order for resumption of Tata Steel’s four Iron ore mines till 28 Jan, 2015.
Another major relief to Tata Steel, India’s 3rd largest steel producer, who have been struggling for Iron ore after their captive mines had closed in Jharkhand & Odisha. Based on Odisha High Court order dated on 3 Dec’14, the state government has issued orders to start operations at its four Iron ore mines, which were closed since 15 Nov, 2014. The four mines are Joda East, Joda West, Bamebari and Katamai.
According to High Court order, “As an interim measure, we direct that the petitioner (Tata Steel) shall be permitted to continue with its mining operation, as permitted by the state government under its letter dated 31 May, 2014 and consequential direction issued thereon to resume mining and such order shall continue to remain in operation till the next date i.e. 28 Jan, 2015 and also be issued with the requisite Transit Permits. We further direct that order under Annexure-33 shall remain in abeyance till the next date.”
26 Iron ore & Manganese mines including 7 Iron ore mines of Tata Steel were closed by the state government last May’14 following the Supreme Court’s order on second and subsequent renewal. However, the Odisha government in the same month had issued express orders to 8 mines including these 4 mines of Tata, 3 mines of SAIL and one mine (Kurmitar) of OMC.
The government while issuing the express orders had asked the lessees to get necessary statutory clearances within 6 months, which was expired on 15 Nov, 2014. While, only SAIL has been able to get the clearances within the timeframe for its Kalta, Bolani and Barsuan Iron ore mines. Tata Steel & OMC have yet to get the clearances.
On 15 Nov’14, the government has closed these mines due to non-fulfillment of necessary statutory clearances. Later, Tata has challenged this in the Odisha High Court. Earlier, this month, the court has put a stay on the order and has allowed the company to continue operations. Previously, Jharkhand High Court had ordered the state government to issue express order for resumption of Tata Steel’s Noamundi mines.
Tata Steel’s Iron ore production stood at about 17-18 MnT, out of which 12-13 MnT was from Odisha and 5.5 MnT was from Jharkhand. Company’s crude steel production in FY14 stood at over 9 MnT.
For Odisha High Court Order Copy: Click here
Leave a Reply