Jharkhand Govt Rejects Mining Leases of 18 Iron Ore Mines

Mines Department of Jharkhand has recommended closure of 18 iron ore mining leases who have failed to meet mining operation standards. State government has returned back the file to central government for auction after reviewing the status of the 21 iron ore mines in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

Having failed to follow the standards, mines department has recommended to close down the mining leases of all the 18 iron ore mines. Last week the mines department had returned back the files to the Chief Minister Secretariat regarding renewal of all 21 iron ore mines following which Jharkhand’s Chief Minister has ordered to cancel the leases of 18 iron ore mines. The three leases remaining belong to those of – PK Jain, Anil Kherwal and Shah Brothers.

Sources close to matter said that similar situation was prevailing in Odisha but state government took intitiatives to reopen the closed mines after the govt. issued MMDR Amendment Act on Jan’15. Whereas Jharkhand govt did not gave consent to central govt. to reopen the mines and rejected 18 mining license.

Last month, Chief minister secretariat had sent a file to the mines deptt. questioning the reason behind closure of mines following which there were anticipations arising that the closed mines may get a green signal to operate. But now with recommendation of mines closure by Mines Deptt. all expectations have come to an end.

Presently there were only few iron ore mines are active, Tata Steel – Naomundi, SAIL Gua, Rungta – Ghatkuri and Usha Martin. OMM a private mines is also suspended operation due to not meeting standards. The below list indicates the closed mines which were last operating till 2013 and 2014.

List of 21 iron ore mines