A crucial report that could likely decide the fate of mining in
Karnataka, India's second largest iron ore producing state, will be submitted
to the Supreme Court on Jan 23, a week after it's initial schedule.
The apex court-appointed Central Empowered Committee,
that was mandated to look into alleged violations by miners in Karnataka, has
finished its investigations, said a person connected with the development. Once
the report is submitted, the forest bench of the Supreme Court will hear the
case on Jan 27.
The Supreme Court had ordered the suspension on mining in
Karnataka after the state Lokayukta, acting on a writ petition, probed and
detected mining illegalities in the districts of Bellary, Chitradurga and
Tumkur.
“The Supreme Court (SC) hearing is likely scheduled next week. Till
that time, the industry will continue to buy iron ore from
auctions,”said sources.
MSTC has conducted 18 auctions so far, of which 18 million
tonnes of ore were put on the block. About 12 million tonnes were sold to
various bidders, of which 7 million tonnes were bought by JSW Steel alone.
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